Jump to content

Army chief’s attempt to shut down election talk of budget cuts backfires


webfact

Recommended Posts

Army chief’s attempt to shut down election talk of budget cuts backfires

By Jitraporn Sennawong, Nattaphat Phromkaew 
The Nation

 

84d5f3b5df5d6a938675615bf09d6a01.jpeg

 

The Army chief’s attempt to scare politicians off discussing the Army budget and reform by indirectly calling them “enemies of the state” has instead backfired, as many Thais have emerged with additional proposals for reforms of the military, and others are protesting the chief’s invocation of the farrightist anthem.

 

 Critics yesterday largely chorused in agreement that the Army, which often intervenes in politics, deserves a budget reduction and reform. Social activist Veera Somkwamkid wrote on his Facebook page that he agreed with the policy proposal to cut the defence budget. It is a source from which highranked officers could unlawfully seek benefits, the critic explained.

 

“The cut should not affect ordinary military officers because we’re not cutting their salary,” Veera said, adding that the surplus from the cut could be allocated to other areas such as public health and education.

 

Junta critic and leader of Seree Ruam Thai party Sereepisuth Temeeyaves yesterday said his party also proposed to reduce the size of the Army and would reallocate the funds to improve the quality of people’s life. “The Army is part of the problem facing the country, especially in the past five years since the coup. If I get a chance to run the country, I will abolish conscription and disband the unnecessary units including their headquarters and the court. We’re not in wars. These are not necessary,” he told an election rally in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

 

0ebb0aa17c50474de117b17e14dbbdba.jpeg

Student activist Parit Chiwarak

 

Seree Ruam Thai party joins Pheu Thai Party, Democrat Party, Future Forward Party in calling for an examination of the military budget. The criticism came after Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong told politicians to listen to the anthem “Nak Paendin” (“worthless”) if they were planning to reduce the defence budget or nullify conscription. “Nak Paendin” was part of the grand propaganda in 1970s against the communist movement.

 

The lyrics labelled leftists as enemies of the state that needed to be eliminated. A favourite of ultranationalists, it is viewed by many others as hatefilled and divisive. Following heavy public criticism concerning both the need for Army reform and the Army’s chief’s aggressive reaction, a military spokesman yesterday came out to defend its controversial budget.

 

While the public appears sceptical of the relations between the militarybacked government and the rising defence budget, the spokesman LtGeneral Kongcheep Tantravanich said the allocation was proportionate. The budget rise (from Bt183 billion before the 2014 coup to Bt227 billion this year) was also proportionate to the national budget’s overall increase, he said. In fact, he insisted, it had been reduced by some 5 per cent in relative terms. A budget cut would affect numerous security units and their work, including disaster relief units, he said.

 

f2adc2c7271ac936c4605c4f565af0be.jpeg

 

The Army sees its responsibility as not limited only to war. In response to criticism about the military intervention in politics, Kongcheep said it was difficult to explain. However, if the people had not wanted it, the intervention could not have taken place, he said.

 

In a related development, a couple of the prodemocracy protesters led by student activist Parit Chiwarak also protested in front of the Royal Thai Army Headquarter against Apirat’s invocation of the song.

 

They called on Apirat to revoke the order to play the controversial song in the military barracks across the country, saying that the anthem only incite hatred and violence. It is said that in the massacre on October 6, 1976, the farright played the song as they launched a crackdown on students at Thammasat University.

 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30364495

 

thenation_logo.jpg

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-02-21
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The people of this nation despise the army. If they did not before this five year reign of destruction, they sure do now. They have overstepped their authority, and just cannot manage to wear their power lightly. This latest statement by this power hungry nitwit, really pissed people off. The ultra nationalist cries are getting old. Tired. Boring. The people have had enough.

 

Prayuth and the army must get out now. The people will vote them out. Just watch. Their reign is nearly over. Let us hope and pray. Nothing can return to normal, while these incompetents remain in power. Next step. Oust the 250 bought and paid for senators that the army appointed, and re-write the constitution.

 

Reducing the army's budget should only be the beginning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I try to be particularly upset with the current government, but, from my perspective, all Thai leadership is corrupt and incompetent. All.

 

So, it's easier to criticize them all. 

 

I have never read about an even reasonably competent Thai government in the last 100 years. 

 

Thais have exactly zero decent choices. The best they can do is try to vote for whichever corruption benefits them at the expense of some other groups. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Churchill was right in 1945, we should of kicked the B-jesus out of the Tin pot military government in Thailand, Pro Fascist, Pro Hitler and pro Japanese. Would of done them the world of good all those Chindits from Burma coming down and showing them a real fighting army..... but as usual they sidled away and avoided a well deserved kick up the chuff, courtesy of the U.S.A.........  Thanks for that.......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, DM07 said:

I meant the whole army...polititians...reducing the budget...thingy!

Fun in a very scary way, that is!

Agreed, but it's obscene that a military that's only basically fought its own people are allowed to spend the kind of money (With the obvious backhanders involved) that they are on weapons they wouldn't dare wave at anyone else but their own....... Something wrong about all this.... Just shows you how much is grafted by the boys with the shiny buttons.... They're happy with nicking everyone elses rice bowl, but touch theirs and out come the claws........

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

I try to be particularly upset with the current government, but, from my perspective, all Thai leadership is corrupt and incompetent. All.

 

So, it's easier to criticize them all. 

 

I have never read about an even reasonably competent Thai government in the last 100 years. 

 

Thais have exactly zero decent choices. The best they can do is try to vote for whichever corruption benefits them at the expense of some other groups. 

 

I agree wholeheartedly (99.5%). The only government I have any respect for in the last 100 years is that of Kukrit Pramoj, which predictably only lasted for a little over a year before others (led by his brother) took over again. If you have any doubts, look at his policies. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The army 100% & in the main most politicians are corrupt to a point, just vying for a crack at the trough.

As yet I haven't seen one party with true transparency who will work for the people of Thailand.

End the military interventions, resolve to help the poor by decreasing the wealth gap.

And have a policy of anti-corruption and end graft !

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote

The Army sees its responsibility as not limited only to war. In response to criticism about the military intervention in politics, Kongcheep said it was difficult to explain. However, if the people had not wanted it, the intervention could not have taken place, he said.

That is the most idiotic statement I have ever heard, and these are the imbeciles in charge?! If this is their spokesman, they need to rethink his position, because he's about as dumb as a box of rocks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, webfact said:

In response to criticism about the military intervention in politics, Kongcheep said it was difficult to explain. However, if the people had not wanted it, the intervention could not have taken place, he said.

Absolutely deluded

Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

I try to be particularly upset with the current government, but, from my perspective, all Thai leadership is corrupt and incompetent. All.

 

So, it's easier to criticize them all. 

 

I have never read about an even reasonably competent Thai government in the last 100 years. 

 

Thais have exactly zero decent choices. The best they can do is try to vote for whichever corruption benefits them at the expense of some other groups. 

 

That's a moral trap, you have to decide to vote for yourself, or vote for the best for your country. If you choose "whichever corruption benefits them at the expense of some other groups", then you are part of the problem, not the solution.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, ocddave said:

That's a moral trap, you have to decide to vote for yourself, or vote for the best for your country. If you choose "whichever corruption benefits them at the expense of some other groups", then you are part of the problem, not the solution.

I agree with you. What I am saying is Thais have no good options that benefit the country broadly. They have only options that benefit various small groupings of people. 

 

This is a tribal country. I would love to see them stop pretending they care about Democracy. In order of preference, most Thais think like this. 

 

"I want

 

A. a government that benefits me and my family, OR

 

B. a government that benefits A and my close friends, OR

 

C. a government that does not benefit any other group more than A and B, OR

 

D. otherwise, I don't care who is in power." 

 

In other words, they are tribal and selfish. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, Lucius verus said:

Terrific news. I really hope its not just campaign rhetoric. The Thai army has been holding this country back for decades .I doubt if a single one of the nearly 2000 generals and admirals has any combat experience.

Corrupt pathetic rabble.

A troop of smart farang boy scouts would run rings around the pathetic excuse for military hierarchy screwing this country to benefit themselves. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, ocddave said:

That is the most idiotic statement I have ever heard, and these are the imbeciles in charge?! If this is their spokesman, they need to rethink his position, because he's about as dumb as a box of rocks.

 

6 hours ago, ocddave said:

That is the most idiotic statement I have ever heard, and these are the imbeciles in charge?! If this is their spokesman, they need to rethink his position, because he's about as dumb as a box of rocks.

Far too high in the ratings, a box of rocks can be of use... 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 hours ago, SupermarineS6B said:

Churchill was right in 1945, we should of kicked the B-jesus out of the Tin pot military government in Thailand, Pro Fascist, Pro Hitler and pro Japanese. Would of done them the world of good all those Chindits from Burma coming down and showing them a real fighting army..... but as usual they sidled away and avoided a well deserved kick up the chuff, courtesy of the U.S.A.........  Thanks for that.......

shamefully true

Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 hours ago, SupermarineS6B said:

Churchill was right in 1945, we should of kicked the B-jesus out of the Tin pot military government in Thailand, Pro Fascist, Pro Hitler and pro Japanese. Would of done them the world of good all those Chindits from Burma coming down and showing them a real fighting army..... but as usual they sidled away and avoided a well deserved kick up the chuff, courtesy of the U.S.A.........  Thanks for that.......

I hear what you say, and yes - it might well have done them the world of good but on the other hand maybe not - for all the BS that goes on here, it's streets ahead of where Burma is today. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.




×
×
  • Create New...