From Thairath, October 12, 2011
The military is not democratic. The law must be changed to give politicians the authority to intervene in military transfers.
[This criticizes the government move to change rules to let politicians control military transfers.
Traditionally, the Thai world has feared politicians meddling in supposedly non-political areas, fearing that "good" people might not get their turn due to politicized appointments. It is also feared that such appointments might also lead to overwhelming power being vested with corrupt politicians. On the other hand, the military has often acted for selfish reasons and with impunity under the veil of protecting the nation and monarchy.
After Black May in 1992, feelings were high that the military must only answer to elected politicians. During the overreach of the Thaksin years, that feeling had flipped to preserving military appointments outside the reach of politicians grabbing for absolute power. Finally, after the clearing of the Red Shirt redoubt in 2010, feeling once again trended to a desire for a military controlled by elected officials.
However, governments have had little trouble in injecting politics into military appointments (particularly Thaksin-controlled governments). In the calmest of times, reshuffles entail intense behind-the-scenes lobbying and Thai-style hurt feelings which sometimes leads to small acts of violence.
Like other controversial changes recently proposed by Puea Thai, this rule change is likely a bargaining chip in the negotiations of how and when Thaksin will be absolved of legal problems and be able to return to the country.]
Related posts: