As the public has been focused on the government's "soft power" push and what it actually means, little attention has been paid to the subtle attempts by the armed forces to woo ministers and lawmakers into giving them what they want.
Indeed, their charm offensive seems to be working well. Over the course of just a few months, a number of ministers and lawmakers seem to have softened their position on the armed forces' requests -- for example, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang.
When Mr Sutin took up the post in September, he was firmly opposed to the navy's 13-billion-baht submarine procurement deal and ordered a review of all projects carried out by the armed forces.
After spending three months working with soldiers, however, Mr Sutin seems to have changed his tune on the armed forces. Now known as "Big Tin" among men in uniform, the former teacher from the Northeast can be seen from time to time sporting a military-style beret, if not holding a rifle, or being saluted by troops.
There's nothing wrong with developing a rapport with colleagues in the workplace, as long as he does not lose sight of his original intention.
However, judging from the way the armed forces are lavishing attention on Mr Sutin, it is quite obvious that they will stop at nothing to get him on their side -- perhaps to ensure the navy's original submarine procurement plan remains unopposed.
The armed forces used the same tactic to get the Srettha Thavisin administration to change its tune on the emergency decree for the restive southern provinces.
In November, the Pheu Thai-led government decided to retain the bloated Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), despite the party having called for the end of the agency when it led the opposition bloc under the previous government.
Their charm offensive didn't not stop at cabinet ministers and government officials, but extended to elected lawmakers.
The military is trying to use the same strategy on its arch-nemesis, the Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Rangsiman Rome, a vocal critic of the army who has repeatedly pledged to cut the armed forces' budget.
Last week, it organised a military march for Mr Rangsiman, who chairs the House committee on national security, when the committee visited the Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters.
There, the armed forces' Supreme Commander and Mr Rangsiman discussed the reforms proposed by the army, which now include plans to end mandatory conscription by 2028 -- a move which is in line with the MFP's agenda -- and to accept start accepting female recruits.
Right after the meeting, Mr Rangsiman told the media he was impressed by the positive adjustments made by the military.
It will be interesting to see if Mr Rangsiman changes his tune in the future when he becomes a member of the government, or even defence minister. One thing is for sure -- the military's charm blitz looks set to continue.
The armed forces deserve credit for their plan to modernise the military. Yet, the changes are only skin-deep. Since the new government came to power, there have been no serious attempts to look into allegations of corruption and human rights abuses within the armed forces.
The Defence Minister should look into graft allegations in the military. But to do that, Mr Sutin must not be swayed by military's charm offensive.