What has Prem been up to?
Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda has been out of the headlines recently. However, recent Bangkok Post story attests that he remains politically active and engaged in extra-constitutional activism.
In a story that is about the high-profile and expensive campaign for promotion conducted by and for incumbent 4th Army commander, Lt-General Pichet Visaijorn – he’s the one who organized all the seemingly sufficiency economy propaganda from the south (see here, here and here) from where he now seems set for a top command position in Bangkok – is mention of General Prem.
According to the report, the military “reshuffle lists will be screened by the middle of next month after they are sent to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda. The lists are expected to go to the cabinet in August and will be announced in September.”
The thing about this short note is that it all sounds so “normal.” Prem gets to review the military lists, recommend favorites, gong some and give his aged advice based on the interests of the palace and his buddies in the army.
Paul Chambers had some useful comments on this at New Mandala not that long ago and they are worth citing in this context:
“Members of this Council, because of their affiliation to the palace, appear to stand above politics, becoming yet another civilian hub of authority—though they officially serve at the sovereign’s pleasure. Among their duties, Councilors advise the palace but have also succeeded in shaping key political alterations. Currently, three of the most senior Councilors (ret. Gens. Prem Tinsulanond, Surayud Chulanond, and Pichit Kullavanijaya) are retired military men, making it arguable that the Privy Council has become increasingly militarized or influenced by the armed forces. On that note, one of the Council’s most notable achievements has included the reinforcement of the “Queen’s Guard,” (the 21st Infantry Battalion of the Second Infantry Division).”
“May 19 in fact represents the eighth nail against Thaksin following the 2006 coup, 2007 constitution, 2008 judicially-enforced fall of pro-Thaksin prime ministers, refusal of the military to protect those governments from demonstrations, the cobbling together of the current anti-Thaksin government, judicial rulings against Thaksin himself, and the April 2009 “Bloody Songkran” military repression against Red Shirts. These moves against Thaksin have required a solid armed forces. For the Queen’s Guard, this has meant a larger military budget and enhanced authority over civilians to control military reshuffles. Indirectly and informally, this faction takes its lead from Privy Council Chair Gen. Prem Tinsulanond—hence its continued pull over the military.”
“Prem’s military hegemony owes to four factors. First, he is a shrewd political player, and has long played a careful balancing game to appease military factions. Second, as Privy Council de facto head since 1988, his voice has been crucial for military reshuffles, which must have the endorsement of the palace—upon his advice. Third, across a 69 year military career, he has earned tremendous respect among soldiers. Fourth, the sheer length of this career has allowed him to become patron to rising officers as well as shape the development of the military itself.”
“By 2010 some might have thought Prem to be a peripheral force since he had just turned 90. Yet, he has continued to be a cogent and leading participant in Thai politics—second only to the palace. And through an exceedingly long and successful career, Prem has managed to forge the military consensus enabling the successful sway of an arch-royalist military.”
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