Bangkok Post – Generals fear looser grip on redeployments

According to a military source, top military commanders are concerned that a proposed change in the laws could lead to unnecessary political interference in the affairs of the armed forces.

The concerns followed the recognition by last week’s Ministry of Defense meeting of a proposal to amend two laws governing the administrative functions of the Ministry of Defense and the charter of the Military Court. It also specifies new criteria for promoting generals.

The core of the proposal was the power given to the prime minister to suspend top officials suspected of plotting a military coup.

Also brought to the attention of the meeting was the plan to add two more members to the council which is now headed by three members.

The source said the armed forces have not seen details of the proposal that Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang asked to adopt during the council meeting.

The April 19 council meeting was informed of Mr Sutin’s appointment of a working group to draft amendments to the two laws. The group is chaired by General Somsak Rungsita.

No details about the proposal were disclosed during the meeting.

The source said the two additional councilors were expected to represent the government.

Armed forces leaders were in the dark about whether the proposal aimed to change the composition of the so-called “Seven Tiger Council,” which was mainly charged with organizing reshuffles of military officers at the highest level.

The board typically consists of seven members: the permanent secretary of defense, the chief of armed forces, and the commanders-in-chief of the army, air force and navy, as well as the minister of defense and a deputy minister of defense if applicable. installed.

If a government does not appoint a deputy defense minister, the Seven-Tiger Board consists of six members.

“It is impossible to say at this time whether the board will remain in its current composition,” the source said. Armed forces leaders are concerned that if more members from the government side are introduced into the administration, they could lose their negotiating power over the composition of military redeployments.

With a majority of five votes in hand, armed forces leaders traditionally have the most say over who will be promoted to crucial posts, including the seats of commander-in-chief.