Democrats slam govt over military posts
The Democrat Party yesterday protested the government was interfering in military appointments to gain an advantage at election time.
Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon argued the government should wait for a new Election Commission (EC) to be elected so it could approve new military positions. The armed forces annual list of senior military assignments has been received by the Defence Ministry permanent secretary who has yet to pass it to the minister. Ong-art alleged the military reshuffle was subject to political interference. "The party worries the government may move military officers for electoral advantage. It can see military officers that don't allow themselves to become political tools are set to be removed," he claimed. Ong-art noted Article 215 of the Constitution required caretaker governments seek EC approval before appointing or transferring senior officials. An EC is yet to be elected by the caretaker Senate. The first Thaksin administration transferred senior military officials ahead of the 2005 election, giving it an election advantage, he asserted. "The 2005 election showed several senior military officers became tools of the government," Ong-art claimed. Four senior officers contended planned military rotations were subject to political interference. The four were Lt-General Wisanu Prayoonporn, Rear Admiral Itthichai Sripan, Air Vice Marshal Surakij Chansen and Air Vice Marshal Prasith Thananaken. They petitioned Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda on Wednesday to intervene and halt what they said was "overt political pressure to rig the military line-up". On Friday, they submitted additional material they claimed proved the alleged interference. Thai Rak Thai Party spokesman Sita Divari yesterday said the four officers had committed a serious disciplinary offence, "punishable by death". Sita contended the government never interfered in military reshuffles. He said Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura asked the officers to stop making the accusations. They did not. "They violated an order of a superior which caused damage to the country. If war breaks out and military officers lack discipline like this, the country will lose.
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