Coups won’t end until politicians stop meddling with military
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Foreign critics who know little about Thailand would regard as insignificant the news that a former defence minister has been impeached retroactively by the National Legislative Assembly for intervening in the appointment of senior military officers a few
However, this specific case shows how a democratically elected civilian government tried to twist the defence forces into serving and protecting a particular politician, his family and cronies, rather than the whole country.
It is true that armed forces are required by law to serve and operate under the command of their government. But here in Thailand, over-ambitious politicians have constantly tried to intervene in the appointment of senior military officers for their own gain. One of them even appointed his cousin to the highest position in the Army, regardless of qualifications, seniority or appropriateness.
In Thailand the right to appoint senior officers is the prerogative of the military, both by law and by tradition. This behaviour helps explain why Thailand has had one coup after another.
And this condition will not change until politicians learn to operate within the realm of their own designated powers.
Vint Chavala
