Battle experience needed, says PM

The Bangkok Post ^ | 8 Aug 2005 | WASSANA NANUAM

[ASA Vet]

Battle experience needed, says PM

WASSANA NANUAM

The next army commander should have battlefield experience, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said.

``Whoever becomes army chief must have field combat experience. Otherwise, he would not look graceful,'' Mr Thaksin said on Saturday night.

He was attending a birthday party of former prime minister and army chief Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon.

Mr Thaksin said people who become chiefs of the three armed forces should also have more than one year left to serve, as 12 months was too short a time to achieve anything.

``Armed forces commanders must be well accepted in military circles. They must be capable, hard working and loyal to the monarchy,'' Mr Thaksin said.

Religious beliefs would not be taken as a factor in considering who should be made army chief, he said when asked if assistant army chief Sonthi Boonyarattakalin, who is a Muslim, was suitable for the post.

A source said outgoing army chief Gen Pravit Wongsuwan had already nominated Gen Sonthi as his successor in an army reshuffle list sent to Defence Minister Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya on Aug 4. Gen Sonthi was a member of Class 6 of the Armed Forces Academy Preparatory School, and is due to retire in 2007.

Another strong candidate for the top army post was assistant army chief Gen Lertrat Rattanavanich, an engineer with no field combat experience. A member of pre-cadet school's Class 7, he is due to retire the same year.

Mr Thaksin said Gen Thammarak would screen all reshuffle lists sent to him by armed forces chiefs and they should be finalised in two weeks.

Asked if Deputy Supreme Commander Gen Sirichai Tunyasiri, who was recently commander of the Southern Border Provinces Peace-building Command, could be made army chief, he said the matter was for the defence minister to consider.

[ASA Vet]

The last time Thai military forces were in combat was during Vietnam. Where will they find a new commander with "battlefield experience?"

[old school]

I reckon that some of our military leaders could use battlefield experience as well. Since the start of the Iraq War, I've seen alot of the army "Brass" on TV with a chest-full of medals but no "Combat Infantry Badge."

[ASA Vet]

A CIB isn't the only indicator of battlefield experience since it's only issued to those holding an infantry MOS.

[mmercier]

>> The next army commander should have battlefield experience

Bang bang, there is a novel idea. Who would have thunk..?

There is a reason the third world is third.

[mmercier]

Nothing like actually being shot at can substitute.

I never served, but I have had a few rounds pass by my immediate location. It changes your world view faster than the hiss of the round and before you hear the pop.

[JimSEA]

Khun Thaksin is likely referring to experience on either the Burma, Laos or Khmer borders and the skirmishes there. Be assured that the candidate he has decided on happens to have just the experience he is speaking of and the opposition candidate lacks this specific experience. That said, if you ignore the generals, the Thai military is more competent than others in the region and a good deal of the credit goes to the USA and military exchanges / joint exercises, etc. However, the command level has its share of corruption, particularly in the fraudulent procurement and drug areas.

[GAB-1955]

The prime minister should quality that: "successful battlefield experience."

[ASA Vet]

I've known lots of Thai Army troops.
(In fact I was one, I'll explain in FR mail if you're interested.)

I agree with your assessment.