SPOTLIGHT
Should military officers be allowed to get involved with politics, asks Piyaporn Wongruang
Article 70 of the 2007 Constitution reads: "Every person shall have a duty to protect and uphold the nation, religions, the King and the democratic regime of government, with the King as Head of the State under this constitution."
Further down, article 74 notes that government officials shall be politically impartial while providing public services.
Between the two articles is a long and winding road for a government official such as Gen Pathompong Kesornsuk to take to complete his most appropriate role as a Thai citizen and, at the same time, a state officer.
On July 8, Gen Pathompong, the chief adviser to the Supreme Command, stepped onto the stage of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
It was the the first time for a military officer to do so in a full uniform - a practice that is traditionally barred by military regulation.
His appearance sparked an outcry among the military community, while Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, in his capacity as Defence Minister, ordered an immediate investigation to see whether Gen Pathompong's act carried grounds for penalties.
Gen Pathompong insisted he did not want to challenge any rules; rather he said he was acting against the most critical threats - to the nation and to the monarchy.
"I didn't think whether it was right or wrong. What I thought is that it is something that military officers like us must do," Gen Pathompong said of his appearance on the PAD's stage.
Over the past few months, Gen Pathompong, whose seniority is equivalent to a field marshal, had learned about the continuous attacks against the monarchy as well as the imminent threat to the country's territory and sovereignty posed by the listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site.
He sent letters outlining these threats to all the relevant security authorities, but none responded.
In his view, it was the duty of those involved to express their stance and take actions, especially those in military service.
Without any response from his fellows, the general looked for a new channel to publicise the threats. He eventually decided to take the PAD's stage as a platform to speak out about what he had learned and to encourage the relevant authorities to act.
"There have been assaults on the monarchy, which we have vowed to protect at all costs, and there has been the threat to our country's territory. So, I looked at the PAD's stage as a public space and decided that people might listen to what I'm saying there," said Gen Pathompong.
"The uniform is not the most important part of being a soldier. It is our actions that count, and I have done my part [to protect the country and monarchy]."
Gen Pathompong's controversial act led not only to the probe against him, but also to suggestions that he may have been serving his own interests rather than those of his country, as it has been rumoured that he may seek to enter politics in the near future.
He has so far dismissed the allegation, saying he has never had any ambitions to enter politics.
Associate Professor Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political analyst from Chulalongkorn University, said Gen Pathompong's appearance on the PAD stage reflected the difficult position faced by military officers in modern politics.
According to Mr Panitan, military officers played significant political roles in the past. For instance, they sometimes took important positions in administrative agencies while serving military services.
However, the trend changed significantly with the promulgation of the Constitution B.E. 2540, which was nullified as a result of the Sept 19, 2006 coup.
Military officers' roles in politics have been limited significantly, especially as they are not allowed to take political posts at the same time as they serve in the civil sector. They have become more professional military officers, whose duty is largely concentrated on defending and supporting national development.
Some military officers have left the military status to pursue roles in formal politics, he added.
Mr Panitan said it may be the time for military officers to fine-tune their roles in order to comply with the spirit of the constitution.
Some old regulations regarding their actions should also be amended to be in line with the constitution, he said.
"In time, when democracy moves forward, it will be hard to prohibit people, including military officers, from participating in politics," said Mr Panitan.
Gen Pathompong agreed that regulations governing the roles of military officers in politics should be adjusted.
If allowed to participate in politics, he said, military officers would not be left with only the option of staging coups.
"We should consider now how military officers can participate in politics, to what extent and in what roles," said Gen Pathompong.
"As it is, all we are allowed to do if we feel uncomfortable with a political deadlock is mobilise the tanks and troops."
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Next
