Sukumpol targets cutback in generals to rein in costs

News > Local News

ARMED FORCES

Sukumpol targets cutback in generals to rein in costs

Published: 26 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat has stressed the need to streamline the armed forces, with a plan to slash the number of generals which has reached a staggering 1,600.

ACM Sukumpol yesterday chaired a Defence Ministry meeting attended by the armed forces top brass. The meeting was relayed via videoconference to all army regions across the country.

Defence Ministry spokesman Thanathip Sawangsaeng said after the meeting that the minister had layed down strategies and an action plan and provided the direction the ministry and armed forces will take next year.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

DONHUAN
Post : 340
Send message

Discussion 10 : 27 Oct 2012 at 02.1010
Post this to my Facebook
Most of the “generals” are ear-marked and gloomed to serve as personal political assistances of senior political figures in Thailand. Again, when senior General retires, they usually entered business or politic. They will hand picked a few active “two stars general” to help them run their errands. That’s why in Thailand we ended up with so many “paper tigers” running loose.
Like dislike 1 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
pquinlan
Post : 922
Send message

Discussion 9 : 26 Oct 2012 at 10.459
Post this to my Facebook
I am surprised the Generals themselves allow the rank to be so degraded by the sheer volume of incumbents. Surely the position is worth more if there are fewer?
Like dislike 7 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
peterd
Post : 678
Send message

Discussion 8 : 26 Oct 2012 at 10.068
Post this to my Facebook
In Switzerland. a general is named in time of war only, so never. Lol. In Thailand, too much generals. not enough job to share. so when they bore, some think to a coup to have their name in the news. #2, Nitnoi give a perfect and wise alternative.
Like dislike 5 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
Merlin
Post : 128
Send message

Discussion 7 : 26 Oct 2012 at 09.347
Post this to my Facebook
Get rid of 1590 generals and then have more money to buy modern equipment instead of old fashioned thinking.
Like dislike 12 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
airborne
Post : 337
Send message

Discussion 6 : 26 Oct 2012 at 08.586
Post this to my Facebook
It must be very difficult to get a tee time at the Army golf course.
Like dislike 29 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
bikeme
Post : 1,123
Send message

Discussion 5 : 26 Oct 2012 at 07.555
Post this to my Facebook
It is a simple solution, change the criteria for becoming a general, study how the armies of other nations promote their soldiers, then formulate a system for Thailand using what they learned. Then offer an option for early retirement with full benefits for all high ranking officers to trim the current ranks. It may take ten or more years to achieve the targeted numbers and the government will still be supporting salaries for a while to come. But trying to simply cut them out cold will result in a major headache and one side of that headache will have weapons.
Like dislike 18 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
retiredsam
Post : 35
Send message

Discussion 4 : 26 Oct 2012 at 07.354
Post this to my Facebook
What a joke.In another article it was stated that the Army had 200,000 men ,thats 125 men per General,unbelievable Thailand.
Like dislike 26 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
tomb
Post : 384
Send message

Discussion 3 : 26 Oct 2012 at 07.233
Post this to my Facebook
This is absolutely ridiculous. There should be a cap on the number of generals, of say 25.

New generals could only be appointed if older ones retire.
Like dislike 27 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
nitnoi
Post : 574
Send message

Discussion 2 : 26 Oct 2012 at 05.102
Post this to my Facebook
Too many general mean their knowledge is also in general, specific at nothing, Want to encourage them to invent weapons without buying them from other countries? Keep dreaming Mr. Sukhumpol, sling shots and deadly kick boxing might be enough for army. Whom the weapons will be used on? among our Thai citizen with different color codes? Reduce number of general, use the money that would be used paying salaries to them for some other projects. Improve educations. turn those high IQ genious to think and invent something productive and good for the nation not scheming how to syphon the nation's wealth for personal's wealth. This is for a start.
Like dislike 26 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
Merlin
Post : 128
Send message

Discussion 1 : 26 Oct 2012 at 04.461
Post this to my Facebook
1,600 generals!!! An army should be pyramid shaped, not hour glass shaped.
How are they going to get rid of them, they will not go quietly and there are others waiting to take their place in the feeding trough.
Like dislike 28 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment

Sukumpol targets cutback in generals to rein in costs | Bangkok Post: news