Stability at the cost of freedom

Stability at the cost of freedom

Troops dot landscape to maintain order

After almost two years in power, the military regime can claim to have restored order and maintained peace. Yet, this has come at the cost of deploying troops across the entire country.

It is no secret that the regime's powers under Section 44 of the interim charter, the deployment of the armed forces across the country, particularly in Bangkok, and army backing of the regime have played an integral part in keeping the situation under control.

Despite this relative calmness, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) continues to refer to the situation in the country as "unusual".

Section 44 has been used to ensure the military regime can quickly deal with perceived threats and soldiers have been mobilised to maintain order right across the country.

Even two years after the coup, troops are routinely deployed even at simple and non-violent arrests, such as last month's detention of peaceful junta critic Watana Muangsook. (Photo by Thanarak Khunton)

In Bangkok and its surrounding provinces, the NCPO's peacekeeping task force, commanded by army chief Teerachai Nakwanich, has assigned leaders of armed forces units attached to the 1st Army to deploy soldiers to deter any potential threats.

They include the 1st Division King's Guard in Bangkok, the 2nd Infantry Division Queen's Guard from Sa Kaeo and the 9th Infantry Division from Kanchanaburi.

Navy and air force personnel have also been deployed to assist the task force.

However, the regime has not revealed the budget for this deployment or the number of officers involved.

An NCPO source said that without the task force, there is a potential for unrest and attempts to undermine the military regime.

Forces are tasked with keeping any political activity at bay and with winning hearts and minds by providing assistance to people in need.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who is also the deputy chief of the NCPO, said the junta has accomplished tangible security achievements in the past two years, particularly maintaining order.

No major disruptions from demonstrations have taken place and tourists now have much more confidence in their safety while travelling around Thailand, Gen Prawit said.

"We concede that we have had to use a huge number of military officers to maintain order and peace as well as enforce laws to deal with those who tried to instigate division and unrest."

"If you want soldiers to go back to the barracks, people must help ensure order in the country and bring back normalcy."

The regime has also been widely criticised for its harsh treatment of those who oppose it.

Multiple political leaders have been "invited" to attend "attitude adjustment" sessions at army barracks with Section 44 giving the regime power to detain people for up to seven days.

Most detainees have been anti-coup activists and regime critics.

The regime has also targeted those who have allegedly violated Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, and the Computer Crime Act, with several people having been brought to trial in military courts.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha insists military courts are no different to civilian ones as suspects can still seek legal advice from lawyers and lodge bail requests.

Military courts simply ensure quick proceedings, he noted.

The move has prompted the international community to voice concern over human rights abuses in Thailand with fair treatment of alleged offenders a major concern.

However, the regime insists nobody has been harmed while in detention.

Over the past two years, the NCPO has taken a tough stance against "influential criminal figures", creating a watch-list of more than 6,000 names.

Critics have also lashed out at the regime for its targeting of politicians and canvassers, particularly those associated with Pheu Thai and red-shirt groups.

The move is also seen as an attempt to ensure the draft charter is approved in the Aug 7 referendum.

The army has been solidly united under the reign of Gen Prawit, who is also the defence minister. Key combat units are now controlled by the powerful Burapha Phayak (Tigers of the East) army clique, directly associated with Gen Prawit.

Due to the strong army unity, it would be almost impossible for a coup to be staged against the regime.

Army, NCPO and government links mean Gen Prayut can be confident of staying in power, as he has vowed, until next year's election regardless of the outcome of the Aug 7 referendum.

This article is the second of a seven-piece series on two years since the National Council for Peace and Order seized power on May 22, 2014.

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