Pheu Thai MPs seek new reshuffle rules
The Pheu Thai Party has not decided whether it will seek to amend military provisions related to appointing top brass, but a number of its lawmakers are pushing for change, MP Phiraphan Phalusuk said yesterday.
“Under the Defence Ministry Administrative Act, the defence minister just serves as a rubber stamp, without any say in the military reshuffle,” he said.
Phiraphan said that in his personal view, the government should have a say in the reshuffle of the top military commanders.
He dismissed concern that the legislative push to amend the provisions would trigger a coup, arguing that soldiers understand they are obligated to comply with government supervision, as in any democracy. He conceded, however, that he had no idea how long it would take for the amendment process to begin or to complete.
Pheu Thai MP Surasit Jiemvichuck said he supported the move to amend the military provisions because the existing legislation barred the prime minister from overseeing the military line-up.
The prime minister should have the mandate to oversee military affairs, he said. If the military or other government agencies can resist political supervision, then there was no point in electing a prime minister or forming a government to run the country, he said.
