Korat massacre: Army leader makes excuses and gets emotional
Army Chief Gen Apirat Kongsompong (vichanpoti / Shutterstock.com)
The massacre in Korat by a soldier has caused a storm of criticism to erupt against the army. Army commander Apirat apologized publicly yesterday and became emotional.
Apirat: “There are many Thai people who criticize the army, but we cannot be blamed. The shooter is not a soldier but a criminal.”
The army chief also admitted that there are abuses in the army, such as the sale of houses to soldiers, illegal loans and projects in which army units collaborate with businessmen. The army chief also acknowledged that the gunman had been mistreated by his commanding officer and the commander's relatives.
He promised to end some of those abuses. Some projects are stopped. Apirat: “We are going to solve the problems the army is facing. The army provides free accommodation to its personnel so they can save up to buy houses after they retire. These projects need to be reviewed. Furthermore, I will put an end to unnecessary things, such as the sale of weapons to soldiers for private use.”
Prime Minister Prayut also announced yesterday that he has ordered an investigation into irregularities in the soldiers' housing programme. He said the project is well-intentioned and aims to enable soldiers to buy their own homes, but may be misused for "personal gain."
According to the media in Thailand, Jakapranth was driven to his act by a personal conflict over the sale of a house involving a relative of his commander.
Source: Bangkok Post
I don't hear or read anywhere that the gunner's commander has been held accountable.
Seems difficult to me. He was shot.
He judges the shooter as a criminal, but not his commander as an abuser of power.
Already wrote it in a previous post. My stepson had to hand over half his salary to his commander, he also heard that from others. After his service he heard that this was not correct. Too late to do anything about it. It seems to be more common, a deep-rooted habit, in which power relations play a role. When I read the statements of the army command and Prayut, I really wonder if they don't have butter on their heads.
Apirat was clearly emotional, he could hardly hold back his tears. Some mock him (stage play, Oscar worthy). I've seen his speech and he seems really hurt, but is that for the victims? Or because the perfect, flawless army failed here? In his statement, he said, “The army is an organization that provides security, it is an organization that is sacred.” วามมั่นคง เป็นองค์กรที่มีความศักดิ์สิทธิ์). From this it seems clear to me that he sees the army as the protector of country and people. And here we see the failure of the military.
That will be impossible in the eyes of some (a Thai doesn't do this, our security forces don't do this kind of thing'), then it's hard to understand that the 'protector of the land' has blood on his hands. That is of course not the first time, but bloody incidents from the past are talked away and no one has ever been punished for it.
In any case, it is to be hoped that lessons will be learned from this. But will the armed forces really be overhauled? Progressive reforms were not favored by the generals until now.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/thai/thailand-51454076
I don't see any real reforms happening yet. There is a lot wrong in various areas from top to bottom. To turn it into a truly professional organization that is accountable at various levels, shows transparency, can be held accountable, that is separate from politics and the judiciary and where exploitation and abuse of conscripts/soldiers is a thing of the past. Unfortunately I don't see that happening. But the country deserves that, and so do the good soldiers. Because yes, there are certainly those, although bad apples such as Prayut, Prawit and Apirat always make the headlines. Unfortunately.
The military establishment in Thailand is a thoroughly corrupt organization. It's a mafia whole. I have already written a lot about this here, and the Thais also know this. I've never heard a Thai say anything good about the military, perhaps with the exception of disaster relief.
Apirat called the army "sacred, a sacred organization, and therefore not open to scrutiny and criticism."
Hopefully there will be a turnaround and the Thais will ensure that the army undergoes a complete reorganization.
Dear Tina,
THE army does not exist and people are corrupt, not institutions. And those people not only work in the army, but also for the police, the universities, the NACC, companies and institutions. You can't be corrupt if others don't cooperate. Otherwise it is called blackmail or cheating.
The Thai population also does not exist. Many know quite well what is going on, in fact: they all contribute to it, some more than others. It already starts with paying off fines in cash.
The greatest enemies of corruption are transparency (especially where money transactions are concerned) and the prohibition of cronyism. Unfortunately, concealment processes are so ingrained in Thai society that almost everyone considers them not only normal but good.
A reorganization of the army is not possible without a form of self-criticism and reorganization of Thai society as a whole.
Ah, Chris, THE Thai army does not exist. So I can't say that the Thai army provides good help in disasters?
Quote:
"Unfortunately, concealment processes are so ingrained in Thai society that almost everyone considers them not only normal but also good."
It is simply not true that Thai society sees these concealment processes as normal and good. There is a lot of criticism about it. Thai society doesn't exist by the way, maybe you mean the elite? Oh, that doesn't exist either.
Army commander Apirat just mentioned a dog as an example for the population: Loyal, faithful, obedient, sacrificing.
And bark when danger threatens (don't let them shut their mouths) and also attack unwanted strangers and visitors who only mean to. Seems fine to me.
Shouldn't those dogs also bark at those false persons such as Apirat and Prayut?
Cartoon:
https://m.facebook.com/cartooneggcatx/photos/a.1125532314243366/1801500789979845/
ja
Chris,
That is precisely the job of the army and the police. So the population should own them. And by means of. the parliament – lower and upper house – which is populated by truly democratically elected representatives of the people. So not by protectors of the interests of that elite, largely appointed by a small elite.
Apirat therefore places itself above the population in Thai society. He should be ashamed of himself!
Rob,
I think that there will be little or no concrete improvements in the coming years (decades?).
Who should accomplish that? Those who decide on that and benefit most from it?
Or a new organization to be set up to tackle abuses and corruption in the army?
That will likely result in a toothless, underfunded and understaffed organization like the Thai Competition Authority.
Theo. I would also be surprised if there really are thorough reforms. there is a lot wrong with the army. The golf courses and other plots, buildings and objects that they manage, the special arrangements such as cheap weapons for personal use and all kinds of other things. In a truly professional army there can be no commercial activities on behalf of the armed forces or by individual soldiers themselves. In a truly professional army there is accountability and transparency. Tackling all that would be a gigantic task.
General Apirat, however, says he is really working on it, really!
“When there is something bad going on, I admit and deal with it. I don't just talk, I walk the walk,” he said.'
It would surprise me, but if I put on my rose-colored glasses, I would hope so, it would benefit the Thai citizens. If I put on my sour vinegar jerk glasses ( 😉 ) then the answer is short: will never never happen, the interests are too great and the institute is too rotten through and through. It's hopeless.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1856169/army-to-cede-schemes-to-professionals#cxrecs_s
“In a truly professional army, there can be no commercial activity…by individual military personnel.”
It has been a long time since I served in the Dutch army as a conscript sergeant, but at least 25% of my professional colleagues had activities that could be seen as commercial and they usually sold to colleagues at the barracks. And they all earned (black) money from it. One traded in lottery tickets, another repaired clocks and watches, yet another traded in antique sportswear and accessories, certain types of videos or Indian desserts.
Besides the money, I think one of the reasons was that in the constant absence of a concrete, conventional enemy (for which a large part of the army is still being trained), there is a lot of boredom in the barracks. But in my opinion, future wars will be won or lost on the internet (hacking, infiltration), in the media (fake news) and with unmanned weaponry. No foxhole or even a tank will help.
Bankok Post reported that Apirat had said: “not to blame the army because a sacred organization”, (There are people who criticize the army. I urge them not to blame the army … because the army is a sacred organization … Blame me — General Apirat”, he said.) Everything is negotiable about that sacred thing. Fortunately, both he and PM Prayuth acknowledged that the system of “welfare housing” used definitely encourages fraud and scams. (Retiring) soldiers can take out loans under favorable payment conditions to purchase their own home. The deadly gunman had such a loan to house his elderly mother as well. This motive earned the mother a lot of compassion/suffering.
Prayut announced research into who is working for personal gain: “[…], the army is looking into whether anyone exploited the project for personal gain.
And he wants a lesson learned for all (can you imagine that there in Thailand?): “Therefore, this serves as a major lesson for all involved to make improvements to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future,” Gen Prayut said . https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1855334/dont-blame-army
Well then Mr P has arrived just in time. Given his estimated wealth accumulated during military career.
Once again the conclusion to select leading military personnel on the basis of capabilities and integrity.
Let those whole bunch of sitting officers who are based there on the basis of network and buying functions apply objectively again and it is certain that 90% cannot even become a professional soldier!!
Help, because I don't understand one thing.
Apirat says the shooter is not a soldier
He later mentions the gunner's commander.
Doesn't the commander belong to the army then?
If the commander does belong to the army, then the shooter is a soldier (soldier) or not?
Apirat said that from the moment the gunman pulled the trigger and shot at people, he was a criminal and no longer a soldier. In English: “But the moment he pulled the trigger on other people, he was a criminal, and no longer a soldier.”. Are original words in Thai
( “ณ นาที ณ วินาทีที่ผู้ก่อเหตุได้ลั่นไกสังหา More information ่อไปแล้ว” )
The irony here is that both Apirat (2010) and other military personnel have themselves pulled the trigger and opened fire on people (unarmed demonstrators) in the past. The firing on some civilians may be more or less severe than others. And the abuse of positions and functions may also be more or less serious than other situations. This gruesome mass murder is very reprehensible, but it remains to be seen whether other reprehensible actions from the past and present will also be pilloried. You could accuse him of measuring double standards, but if we put on our positive hat, maybe there will finally be some movement in much needed reforms to form the army into a truly professional unit?
Source:
- https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/02/11/army-chief-vows-to-hear-grievances-refuse-to-quit-over-mass-shooting/
- https://twitter.com/zenjournalist/status/1227306171368923137
Soldiers remain soldiers until they resign or die. There are good and bad soldiers, corrupt and non-corrupt, old and young, men and women.
I can only say one thing
Apirat says with tears in his eyes that the shooter is a criminal.
This statement is highly appreciated by the army, police, politicians and Thai people.
Not a word about the criminal organization that leads this poor soldier to the act.
The proverbial saying: GIVING RISE TO THEFT IS WORSE THAN THE ACTION ITSELF applies here.
If this poor soldier had just been treated as agreed in the first place, not one person would have died, in fact, a reassuring future with happiness and joy would have been created.
Apirat's statement shows once again that no matter what the army does, they are never to blame, really to puke.
It is incomprehensible to call the soldier a criminal, while the biggest criminals are at the top.
Where is the switch in a person at a given moment, which can lead to something like this?
I knew a colleague, seemed like a very balanced person, who took his own life after personal setbacks.
About a year ago, a soldier in Thailand was killed by "his mates".
How do they come to such a decision?
It is incomprehensible that the Thai people still choose the army side.
Incomprehensible that the soldier shoots innocent civilians, normally he should have had his commander and family members, right?
As with more business in Thailand, a lot of corruption, unfortunately. However, this is not only in Thailand.
He did not come up with the excuses spontaneously the day before yesterday, but he was very urgently 'requested' to bite the dust…
Unless you make it clear to us who made that urgent request and how you know, I don't think you should write this.
Source found 🙂
Chris says on February 12, 2020 at 08:33 am
“And yesterday's apologies are not spontaneously his own.” (Apirat)
For personal safety, some "journalists" do not name their sources. And that is allowed.
All right, Chris.
Then let me add this. Forced apologies are not real apologies. Both the one demanding that another apologize and the one honoring that urgent request are dishonest, probably only to protect the military's reputation. I think that both people understand that too, so I can't imagine that they have told this behavior to others.
Aren't you afraid that your revelation will have unpleasant consequences for you? If I were one of those two people in question, I would be very angry at your candor.
Could be but no one believes me; neither do you. So it's not so bad then.
I don't understand your comment about forced apologies either.
How many governments (in East and West) have publicly apologized in recent years for all kinds of decisions from the recent and distant past such as slavery, murders, comfort women, wars, late intervention, portraying citizens as profiteers, etc. etc., forced by their parliaments in combination with public opinion. Are those governments all insincere because they feel forced to do so?
…sources of this “internal kitchen of the very best good men of self-serving sanctity” are seldom traceable.
I would also be surprised if the pathetic verbiage and tears would have spontaneously bubbled up in a voluntaristic manner, given the function, position, publicly known nature and antecedents of the ruler.
The scheming about serving the nation's interest is well known, the discretion about it too… and in that combination legendary mythical stories can germinate that, to the greater honor and glory of good people's interest, are sung for decades from childhood at the hoist the flag. TiT
Well Apirat knows how to get things done, various programs are being overhauled. Such as the social housing program and the program with cheap weapons for the military.
ex-servicemen must leave military homes, except Prayut:
” wed days after army chief Gen. Apirat Kongsompong said retired army officers must move out from their official residences after their tenures ended in a combat to combat corruption in the ranks, it emerged that some exceptions were made.
That is, government leaders like PM Prayut Chan-ocha and deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan, both of them retired army generals, are exempted because of their “contribution to society.”
- https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/02/14/retired-soldiers-ordered-to-vacate-army-residences-except-prayut/
&
Military weapons program will be scrapped:
“The welfare gun program is widely practiced by law enforcement agencies and the three armed forces to enable their staff to buy weapons at tax-free prices, which are typically as low as half market prices. This apparently explains why Jakrapanth could afford to buy five guns.
In most cases, guns bought under this program are resold to private individuals at a profit, but still at lower than market prices. The program is also known as a means to beat the gun import quotas, under which each gun dealer is allocated a very limited quota per year, especially for pistols.”
- https://www.thaipbsworld.com/korat-gunman-owned-5-guns-bought-under-army-welfare-program/