Military surveillance for political repression II

The military and ISOC have been squirming. As the Bangkok Post reports, they are squirming again., and it is again former junta spokesperson Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree who is doing the military’s spinning.

As we posted yesterday, a recent parliamentary committee meeting saw the military confronted by documents that showed it has been in engaged in “both ‘white’ (public relations) and ‘black’ (covert influence) operations.”

The Internal Security Operations Command admitted to monitoring and profiling individuals and groups for national security purposes:

Leaked documents submitted to the House Committee on National Security identify high-profile figures—including former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, and Kla Tham Party de facto leader Thammanat Prompao—as allegedly exploiting the monarchy for personal benefit.

Despite this, the “Royal Thai Army has denied claims that Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is blacklisted by the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) for exploiting the monarchy for political gain.”

Anutin hits the ground not running

We did not see any reliable report of “blacklisting,” but Anutin complained. Of course, he has recently spent a lot of time kissing the dirt as he has unashamedly sought to be seen as close to the royal family. At fun runs, at major events, and, most recently, he tagged along on the royal visit to Bhutan.

Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree has now “dismissed the allegation as baseless and misleading.” He squirmed in explaining that “Anutin’s name appeared in an internal intelligence report not in a negative context, but rather in a manner supportive of the monarchy.” We imagine, then, that this would include Thaksin and convicted heroin smuggler Thammanat.

Winthai said the “claim that Mr Anutin is … misusing the monarchy is simply untrue…”. He added:

“In fact, the document mentions him in a positive light, citing his statement from August 2024 that he would not support any party or individual advocating amendments to Section 112 of the Criminal Code.”

Maj Gen Winthai also confirmed the document’s authenticity but squirmed as he “stressed it had been misused and misinterpreted.”

When the documents were released, a shocked Anutin “expressed disbelief at the accusations.” He lamented and lied:

“I’ve never used the monarchy for personal or political gain — not even in thought. I’ve always acted with utmost loyalty,” he said, adding he intends to formally request the document to verify its contents.

The Bhumjaithai Party leader also took to Facebook, calling for responsible journalism and criticising those who circulated what he described as a “careless and groundless” report.

It is an authentic document and Anutin has been using the monarchy for both personal and political gain. His party has established itself as the royalist party after the decline of the Democrat Party.

All of this is reflected in his own claims to “his lifelong devotion to the monarchy, citing past royal honours and personal expressions of loyalty.” As one academic explained it, Anutin has been working towards the monarchy for the benefits that brings.