Royal(ist) partisanship

The Nation reports former Second Army Area commander Boonsin Padklang, a jingoistic soldier who provoked much of the effort by Thai forces to seize areas long disputed with Cambodia, thanked King Vajiralongkorn for his highly symbolic promotion to full general.

From Ugly Thailand

Gen Boonsin, now “retired” as an adviser to the Army Commander-in-Chief and on the war with Cambodia, has been made an ultra-nationalist and ultra-royalist “hero.” That status has been recognized and rewarded by the king.

Boonsin said “he was profoundly grateful for the royal benevolence and would receive the new insignia on December 28. He also thanked the public for their encouragement, saying he would continue serving under the Crown.”

As Army generals are always interested in subverting elections or at least steering voters, Gen Boonsin “urged people to think carefully, use their own judgement, and choose good people to run the country…”.

As is well known, “good people” has a special meaning for ultra-royalists. For them, regardless of faults, overt corruption, or even felonious or murderous pasts, supporting the monarchy (and the military) is all that matters. All manner of creeps are, it seems, “good.”

In this case, Boonsin is urging votes for the gangsters of the Bhum Jai Thai Party. We don’t doubt the palace agrees.