Officials decide, not the govt : Yuthasak
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Deputy Prime Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapa dismissed reports yesterday that the government had interfered in the annual military reshuffle.
Yuthasak commented after Defence Ministry permanent secretary Gen Sathien Permthong-in submitted a letter to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra stating that military reshuffle procedures were not carried out in accordance with the Defence Ministry’s regulations. Selection for the Defence Ministry permanent secretary’s post, for instance, must include the most senior official, General Chatri Thidti.
Sathien’s letter stated that Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat had said if Chatri was proposed for the post, he would replace him and appoint General Thanongsak Apirakyothin in his place. Sathien also said he would be replaced by Thanongsak, as official in charge of the annual reshuffle list with the Defence Ministry.
Sukampol said yesterday he would talk with Sathien about the matter. But he was evasive on whether he really intended to interfere in the reshuffle.
“I don’t want to become news. I can’t say anything right now because I want to talk to Sathien first,” the minister said.
Yuthasak insisted the military reshuffle was decided by a committee of six officials from the Royal Thai Armed Forces, the three Armed Forces, the Defence Ministry permanent secretary and the Defence Minister. He said all six officials had the right to propose change. He did not think Sathien’s protest letter showed a rift between the government and the military. Although Sathien was correct that officials with seniority should be selected to the Defence Ministry permanent secretary post, he said the committee would make the final decision.
