Phumtham”, Defense Minister, discussed the first meeting of the Defense Council, urging the army to understand the regulations for punishing personnel, preparing to select new trainers after news of conscripts being tortured, criticizing “Wirote” for linking it to politics, discrediting the government, causing unrest in the country, confirming that the minister never thought of avoiding answering questions, but was busy helping flood victims, insisting that he did not have only one duty.
Mr. Phumtham Vejchai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, revealed after the first meeting of the Defense Council after the appointment of the new Army and Navy Commanders that today is a meeting on domestic and international security, in which the main issues discussed are related to various regulations for taking care of civilian personnel, which have been accepted for consideration of details and amendments to be appropriate.
Including the issue of making laws to support military personnel who commit illegal
acts, which the army confirmed that it did not agree with the methods that occurred (torture) and it is known that there are still some incidents that occur, although they have decreased. Therefore, there has been a discussion on the principles and regulations that must be clearer because there are many laws, both in terms of torture, missing persons, and related criminal laws. There has been a discussion with the various armed forces that there should be stronger measures to prevent these things from happening again. The meeting of each armed force received the principles to amend the army’s regulations. After this, each agency has been instructed to clarify that if an incident occurs again, strict action must be taken.
If there is any wrongdoing, there will be punishment according to the steps. If the punishment exceeds the reason approved by law, it must be carried out strictly. He also emphasized that each armed force should explain the method. Such a thing should never happen.
As for whether the regula
tion amendment will be in time for the upcoming selection of new soldiers, and how can we be sure that this incident will not happen again, Mr. Phumtham said that this time he asked for assurance, as the new regulations may mention those who witnessed the incident and did not report it, who may have been involved. He would not go into details yet and would like to wait for clearer regulations first.
As for the demand to use a normal court, not a military court, Mr. Phumtham said that both parts of the law must be considered because there are both military and criminal laws, to see how to make it concrete and make all parties fearful.
For new military trainers, do they need to be informed that the law has changed? Mr. Phumtham admitted that the rules and regulations have changed, so young trainers who are up-to-date with the world must be selected. As for old trainers, they will be transferred to other duties. This is considered the first part that must be explained to each unit and there must be an order th
at if something happens, strict action must be taken.
Mr. Phumtham also mentioned the case of Mr. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, MP for the Prachachon Party and Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Military Affairs Committee, who asked the minister about his sincerity in the case of a soldier who died from being beaten in a camp in Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. He asked why Mr. Wiroj was only interested in the torture because he had already informed them that he could not answer the question because he had other duties, including the Deputy Minister of Defense who was busy helping flood victims. He asked if Mr. Wiroj did not know that there was currently a great deal of assistance being given to people in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, and Chiang Mai Province. If you see the photos or videos, you will see that they are working hard and have not slept. He had already explained to the President of the Parliament that he did not run away but was busy with duties. If he asked again, he could do so b
ecause he had never run away. If we are sincere with each other and do not use these issues, we will understand that these things should not be used as political issues to discredit the government because they are inappropriate. He also emphasized that he resigned according to the rules and should not be accused of running away from everything that happened. He is ready to take responsibility.
When Mr. Wiroj said that the minister did not give importance to the death of the soldier, Mr. Phumtham said that it was often like this, they liked to bring up various issues to cause rifts. He did not want this kind of case to happen because the army was clearly committed to solving the problem. Do not think only about politics until the country is not peaceful. He asked that he be ready to answer all questions about the army. Please understand that we do not have only one duty. We do not intend to run away anywhere, but it may be a little late. Please wait a little bit. Everything will be better.
Source: Thai News
Agency