Defence minister aims to trim number of generals

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Defence minister aims to trim number of generals

Published: 25 Oct 2012 at 19.23
Online news: Local News

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat has asked military top brass to reduce the number of generals in the armed forces, a daunting task considering there are 1,600 of them, the second highest in the world.

The minister on Thursday told senior officers of the three armed forces to come up with a practical strategy to solve the problem, a source at a meeting at the Defence Ministry said. However he barely mentioned the recent military reshuffle.

ACM Sukumpol's request came as he announced the ministry's work guidelines for the 2013 fiscal year which focus on seven areas including the planned restructuring of the army and promotion of non-commissioned officers to commissioned officers in order to reward low-ranking personnel.

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dickemery
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Discussion 22 : 26 Oct 2012 at 19.4422
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instead of less army general,thailand will be overrun by the police generals,clever motives yet again
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samut
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Discussion 21 : 26 Oct 2012 at 14.2921
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Assuming that a general get his position because of experience and skills in military operation etc. the many generals could be combined to a special task force to solve problems in the deep South; all would be active, would earn their salary in an honest way and maybe some would have to sacrifice their life for the country.
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tu-whit
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Discussion 20 : 26 Oct 2012 at 10.2920
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I agree with Ricefield Radio.com @ disc. 1. I have been saying this for the past six years. TS was overthrown by the militiary not for corruption, but because he tried to tame the military. If I was YS, I would watch my back.
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ricefield
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Discussion 19 : 26 Oct 2012 at 03.3719
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"Thaksin Shinawatra, urged military leaders to get rid of unnecessary generals." And after cutting the Military budget every year he was in power does anyone wish to guess why there was a coup? hint - corruption isn't in the answer.
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spiceman
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Discussion 18 : 26 Oct 2012 at 01.1918
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And they are losing the fight in the Deep South big time. I am for outsourcing the cleaning up of the Deep South to ex-Navy SEALs or Russian Special Ops. Let's ask the real professionals upfront, how much they will charge, and then, deduct it from our defense budget later. Enough with these useless, so-called "generals."
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pointoffew
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Discussion 17 : 26 Oct 2012 at 00.4517
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@ geoffo, discussion 7, if they would promote on merit and performance, Thailand would perhaps have the lowest number of generals - if any at all. Depending on the standards applied, of course.
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pointoffew
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Discussion 16 : 26 Oct 2012 at 00.3316
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I doubt this government will survive this approach. After all, they are subordinate to those they want to trim.
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heartie
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Discussion 15 : 26 Oct 2012 at 00.1115
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'700 were considered redundant with no active military posts.'
Wouldn't that be considered retired?
How do you 'get rid of' them?!
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Silkpit
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Discussion 14 : 25 Oct 2012 at 23.5014
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Fair to mention that all other state agencies are similary structured and work (or not actively work)likewise, and would also need a decisive trimm of top rank positions, in order to imporove on the overall performance of those agencies.
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ploydonut
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Discussion 13 : 25 Oct 2012 at 23.1913
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I am hope that every soldier work hard protect country and all get chance to become General one day, for benefit of the country. Now Cambodia has 2000 Generals we also need 2000. We must be number 1 in the world, because we have best soldiers in the world who sacrifice their life everyday.
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