‘Sutin’ enters the Defense Ministry, pays respect to sacred objects, bids farewell to the position, says he has been there for 1 year, has been valuable, came in with warmth, went out with full encouragement, praised the military for its strengths in working perfectly, not worried about ‘Phumtham’, believes he can continue the work, from now on he will work in the parliament, create awareness for people to share responsibility for security, not throw it to the military.
Mr. Sutin Khlangsaeng, former Minister of Defense, traveled to the Ministry of Defense to pay homage to the sacred objects of the Ministry of Defense in bidding farewell to his position, such as the Lord of the Drum Tower, the royal portrait of King Pinklao, the royal statue of King Chulalongkorn, the statue of Field Marshal Somdet, the royal uncle of Prince Bhanu Rangsi, and the statue of Field Marshal and Maha Amat Ek Chao Phraya Surasakmontri.
Then Mr. Sutin went into his office and had lunch with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry
of Defense and high-ranking commanders in the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense. Mr. Sutin expressed his gratitude for their cooperation in working throughout the past period. Then the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense gave Mr. Sutin a souvenir, a model cannon, which is the symbol of the Ministry of Defense.
Before returning, he gave an interview to the media about his feelings about working as the Minister of Defense. He said that the day he took office as the Minister of Defense, he received a warm welcome. The day he left, he received overwhelming encouragement. Being here for 1 year with good intentions, initiating and developing the work, he believes that he has not done anything to harm the organization. He has told his personnel that there may have been some mistakes, so he apologizes to each other. Everyone has sent them their best wishes.
When asked what impressed him about working with the military in the past, Mr. Sutin said that he was very impressed and t
old the Office of the Secretary to the Minister that the work here is systematic, planned, prepared and carried out to a very high standard. It is better to use the word ‘perfect’. They work very precisely. I went to look at other ministries, it was not like this. Therefore, he believes that the Ministry of Defense will develop very well. It is only that it has a leader who adds progressive ideas. The cogs of the work can move forward immediately. And he believes that Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, the new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, will be able to work continuously because it is the same party, the same policy, and there is also the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense who helps, including many others who are familiar with it and who have already implemented the same policies. They can continue right away without having to initiate much. Or if there is anything to initiate, it should not conflict.
When asked if he had anything to say to the Permanent Secretary of Defense and civil s
ervants in the ministry, Mr. Sutin said that he asked them to maintain their strengths, such as discipline and working in a systematic manner. There was nothing to worry about.
‘After this, I will continue working in the parliament and have told the military personnel that what I want to do is to create a new sense of awareness for people in society, both the old generation, the middle generation, and the new generation. That sense is to take responsibility for security together. It’s not like security is a military matter and then you throw it at the military and they don’t help. Not only doesn’t they help, but they also kick the water, which is friction. It’s not good. There’s not much in other countries where the people go with the military’s expenses, reducing the military’s potential. There’s no such thing,’ said Mr. Sutin.
When asked if Mr. Sutin would use the masses to help take care of the army, in order to make the people understand and have a good attitude towards the army, Mr. Sutin said that it
was correct. Being an MP is possible. Creating understanding between the people and the army is even better when being an MP.
However, I don’t need to leave much for the new defense minister because Mr. Phumtham is an experienced person who has thought of many policies together and can proceed immediately. And I am ready to help even if I don’t have a position because as an MP, we are ready to support Mr. Phumtham’s work.
As for my current morale, I must say that I have never been discouraged. The picture that appeared is an old one from the previous time when I met with Dr. Cholanat Srikaew and we sat and talked. Whenever I want to sneeze because I have allergies and an itchy nose, I solve the problem by lowering my head and pressing the tip of my nose, which stops the itch. When people take pictures of me, it looks like I am lowering my head and crying, but in fact, I am not. Since the day I took office, I told new ministers, ‘The day you are happy to receive the position, you must think about the day you
will leave the position. I have always thought that way. Therefore, the day we leave is not strange. There is nothing wrong with it. One year is valuable enough. I would also like to thank the media. If they do not help, one year will be difficult.’ He ended with a joke that someone told him to go and claim the position of the star of the House of Representatives.
Source: Thai News Agency