Readers may vaguely remember Gen Apirat Kongsompong’s outrageous lie when he bizarrely “pledged … that the army will remain neutral in this election…”. This untruth belched from the mouth of a man who is secretary-general for the junta and whose men are charged with harassing all political parties that are not pro-junta.
He was far more truthful when he recently “vowed to only support a government loyal to the monarchy.” The report gives the context:
Clipped from Khaosod
Kneeling before the statue of King Rama V – revered by the military as its founding father – Gen. Apirat and hundreds of his officers pledged to uphold the late king’s legacy and defend a government committed to protecting the royal family.
Designated a “special appointment” in the military’s daily bulletin, the first-of-its-kind ritual struck observers as an all-out offensive against junta opponents.
His creepy supplication before a memorial to a dead king was conducted with some 700 other senior officers.
The pledge by Gen Apirat and the other 700 officers pledged:
I shall uphold the royal majesty of the monarch, and the pride and dignity of the armed forces. I, as officials of the state, shall support a government committed to a democratic regime under His Majesty the King as head of state….
At the event, reporters were given Army pamphlets “campaigning against pledges by Seri Ruam Thai [Party] and other anti-junta parties [Future Forward and Puea Thai] to slash the size of the armed forces and abolish conscription.”
In other words, Gen Apirat is campaigning for the pro-junta parties, making it clear that if any party he dislikes forms a government, it can expect a coup to get rid of it.
Political Prisoners in Thailand 
[…] Whether the particular story is true or not, it remains clear that the military leadership has made it absolutely clear who they think the people – including soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen – should vote for. […]
[…] Whether the particular story is true or not, it remains clear that the military leadership has made it absolutely clear who they think the people – including soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen – should vote for. […]