It’s no surprise that a significant number of senior military officers will hold key positions in the cabinet of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. Gen Prayuth says the security situation is not yet normal and he needs men he can trust to work with him. He’s aware of the criticisms and has promised that changes would be made if his ministers don’t perform. Such promises are not new for Thai prime ministers. And under normal circumstances, we would consider such statements par for the course. Gen Prayuth needs to have his band of brothers by his side as they make way for the next wave of armed forces leaders in the impending military reshuffle. Be that as it may there is one key position which should definitely not be occupied by a military officer — the post of Foreign Minister.
Immediately after the coup, the military realised that there would be negative reactions from certain western countries and the international media. They pondered how best to deal with the coup’s impact on the country’s international image and standing. The military also sought for ways to make Gen Prayuth, now prime minister, more acceptable to the global community.
One key approach was to reach out to foreign businesses operating in Thailand to explain why the coup was necessary. But an equally key message was the regime’s commitment to economic recovery. The message was: Tell us what you want.
Not surprisingly, the National Council for Peace and Order welcomed military delegations from neighbouring countries and portrayed to the public that there was understanding, if not acceptance, by others.
But meaningful acceptance can only be earned when the country takes substantive steps toward the return to the democratic path — and I don’t just mean elections. It means genuine reform in the 11 key areas to be hammered out by the National Reform Assembly and the drafting of the new charter.
If NRA members selected by the military-appointed committees comprise the broad spectrum of views — even opposing views — from various sectors of Thai society, then there will be greater trust and confidence in the road map. That’s what Thais, and our global partners, will be expecting.
It appears that Gen Prayuth is set at appointing outgoing Supreme Commander Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn as deputy prime minister and foreign minister. Gen Tanasak may have extensive contacts with military men from other countries. But a decision based primarily on this fact would be a mistake.
Even if Gen Tanasak is backed by the appointment of a career diplomat as deputy foreign minister (Don Pramudwinai is tipped for this position), such a decision will deepen the scepticism that the military has an ulterior motive when it seized power other than the professed reason of carrying out major political reforms that Thailand desperately needs. It is already extremely difficult, if not next to impossible, to win support and earn legitimacy from the international community with the heavy presence of men in green in the National Legislative Assembly and the cabinet.
Global trends lean towards openness and participation with higher level of transparency and accountability on the part of the government leaders. Thailand cannot afford to go against this prevailing trend.
The confidence of key foreign counterparts is already diminished because they feel the current regime lacks legitimacy internally. The next foreign minister already faces an uphill task because of this view.
But ministerial portfolios which require interaction with foreign counterparts and external parties, NGOs or institutions should avoid any handicap even before entering any discussion or negotiation.
Foreign Affairs, Finance and Commerce are most exposed to external players and global issues. Thai ministerial delegations under military leadership will automatically suffer from lack legitimacy and their efficacy will be diminished. In bilateral and multilateral settings, military men will be regarded as unequal partners in any consultation or negotiation when most other players carry with them democratic credentials.
Having military men in crucial portfolios dealing with the outside world is not doing the country a favour. In fact, it will further diminish the nation's already battered international profile. If there is still time then please find someone from the ranks of career diplomats who at least have some standing within the international community to represent Thailand.
Pichai Chuensuksawadi is editor-in-chief of Post Publishing. Contact him at pichai@bangkokpost.co.th.