Gatherings of officers an ineffectual show of force against rogue general
Officers gathered to commit themselves to discipline and denounce disobedience and lack of respect for Army leaders, and to give moral support to the Army commander-in-chief and other superiors at all levels in their commitment to protect our Kingdom's key institutions.
These last lines must have resonated loud and clear in Khattiya's ears. To say that he has disrespected Army leaders would be an outright understatement.
His relationship with Army chief General Anupong Paochinda has been strained ever since he sneaked across the border and visited Cambodia to meet with fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin and Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
This underhand and illegal exit, leaving without the military's permission to visit a convicted criminal, led to the suspension of his civil-servant status. The order came down from Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, but Seh Daeng held Anupong responsible for the decision.
Some argued that Seh Daeng was just a pawn and that the recent display of force by the military was a statement against something that is much bigger than this general with an ego larger than Mount Everest. But if that were the case, there were other ways of doing it. The timing was just awful. Besides, why not just suspend him from duty from the beginning when he started showing his face with the red-shirted demonstrators?
Two weeks ago, Khattiya defiantly threatened to "stomp" on the Army chief, whom he accused of kow-towing to the powers that be. In the latest developments, we learn that his threats might now have been just an empty provocation.
The police raided his residence last week because of his alleged participation in the grenade attack targeting the office of Anupong at the Army headquarters on Rajdamnoen Nok Avenue. He now only has limited access to his living quarters, with guards needing to search him and notify senior officials upon his arrival.
For his supporters, Seh Daeng is trying to redefine the military's long-standing, top-down hierarchical functioning by his actions. This "fight the power" tone of defiance is the same narrative that the red and yellow shirts have been using to justify their actions.
But then again, Khattiya is no ordinary civilian. Theoretically, as a professional soldier - with or without a real or meaningful job - he should not be getting involved in politics. In fact, the same principle should be applied to all soldiers.
The fact that one man's bellicose actions resulted in such extravagant demonstrations of what we are to believe is the Army's great power and cohesiveness, paradoxically revealed the institution's insecurity in its political and actual power. Just imagine if there were five Seh Daengs running around doing what he is doing. With an Army like this, who needs enemies?
To accuse him of meddling is somewhat unfair. After all, launching a coup d'etat - which literally means a strike against the state - against an elected government, regardless of how awful it might be, is nothing less than a blow against politics. In this respect, the Army as an institution only has itself to blame.
While soldiers may not like the fact that, under the constitutional monarchy, they are required to heed the orders of elected civilians, and while it is true that a lot of crummy civilians have been elected into public office, Khattiya represents the natural urge to take matters into one's - the military's - own hands.
As a professional soldier, he should be committed to defending the country. That's an honourable and simple duty. He has overlooked that role. And while most of his actions may not be illegal, they are dishonourable. As a soldier, he should demonstrate a different and higher standard. It is called "military bearing" - but sadly that is something this soldier has yet to learn.
