Defence minister aims to trim number of generals
Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat has asked military top brass to reduce the number of generals in the armed forces, a daunting task considering there are 1,600 of them, the second highest in the world.
- Published: 25/10/2012 at 07:23 PM
- Writer: Wassana Nanuam
The minister on Thursday told senior officers of the three armed forces to come up with a practical strategy to solve the problem, a source at a meeting at the Defence Ministry said. However he barely mentioned the recent military reshuffle.
ACM Sukumpol's request came as he announced the ministry's work guidelines for the 2013 fiscal year which focus on seven areas including the planned restructuring of the army and promotion of non-commissioned officers to commissioned officers in order to reward low-ranking personnel.
The 400,000-strong military has more than 1,600 generals, making it the second highest in the world after the Cambodian army which is bloated with more than 2,000 generals.
The number has risen from 1,273 generals, of whom 700 were considered redundant with no active military posts, in 2003.
At that time, Thaksin Shinawatra, who is a close friend of ACM Sukumpol, was prime minister. He openly complained about the issue and urged military leaders to get rid of unnecessary generals.
"Now, the military's workforce is of serious concern because there is a shortage of captains, but the number of generals exceeds the quota by 100 per cent. We have to make it slimmer by adjusting it in line with the military's vision and modern development strategies,'' Thaksin said during a visit to the Supreme Command on Sept 12, 2003.
The source said ACM Sukumpol encouraged all military officers to propose a solution to the problem, for example, extending the time served prior to promotion for those in the ranks ranging from sub-lieutenant, lieutenant and captain.
The present regulations require those in such ranks to serve for 12 years before they are eligible to be promoted to major.
However, the minister suggested that prolonging the 12-year service record would be needed as officers with these ranks were the manpower most in demand in the military.
Promoting them too quickly would result in excess numbers of those with the rank of major, he said, and this would rapidly increase the number of generals.
"It's not that we are already generals and feel we can come up with this idea. Future generations will probably blame us for this. But we have to do it and accept the pain,'' ACM Sukumpol said.
Share your thoughts
- Discussion 1 : 26/10/2012 at 07:44 PM
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instead of less army general,thailand will be overrun by the police generals,clever motives yet again
- Discussion 2 : 26/10/2012 at 02:29 PM
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Assuming that a general get his position because of experience and skills in military operation etc. the many generals could be combined to a special task force to solve problems in the deep South; all would be active, would earn their salary in an honest way and maybe some would have to sacrifice their life for the country.
- Discussion 3 : 26/10/2012 at 10:29 AM
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I agree with Ricefield Radio.com @ disc. 1. I have been saying this for the past six years. TS was overthrown by the militiary not for corruption, but because he tried to tame the military. If I was YS, I would watch my back.
- Discussion 4 : 26/10/2012 at 03:37 AM
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"Thaksin Shinawatra, urged military leaders to get rid of unnecessary generals." And after cutting the Military budget every year he was in power does anyone wish to guess why there was a coup? hint - corruption isn't in the answer.
- Discussion 5 : 26/10/2012 at 01:19 AM
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And they are losing the fight in the Deep South big time. I am for outsourcing the cleaning up of the Deep South to ex-Navy SEALs or Russian Special Ops. Let's ask the real professionals upfront, how much they will charge, and then, deduct it from our defense budget later. Enough with these useless, so-called "generals."
- Discussion 6 : 26/10/2012 at 12:45 AM
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@ geoffo, discussion 7, if they would promote on merit and performance, Thailand would perhaps have the lowest number of generals - if any at all. Depending on the standards applied, of course.
- Discussion 7 : 26/10/2012 at 12:33 AM
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I doubt this government will survive this approach. After all, they are subordinate to those they want to trim.
- Discussion 8 : 26/10/2012 at 12:11 AM
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'700 were considered redundant with no active military posts.'
Wouldn't that be considered retired?
How do you 'get rid of' them?!
- Discussion 9 : 25/10/2012 at 11:50 PM
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Fair to mention that all other state agencies are similary structured and work (or not actively work)likewise, and would also need a decisive trimm of top rank positions, in order to imporove on the overall performance of those agencies.
- Discussion 10 : 25/10/2012 at 11:19 PM
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I am hope that every soldier work hard protect country and all get chance to become General one day, for benefit of the country. Now Cambodia has 2000 Generals we also need 2000. We must be number 1 in the world, because we have best soldiers in the world who sacrifice their life everyday.
- Discussion 11 : 25/10/2012 at 10:55 PM
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More than 1600 generals? Well, this figure fits with the image of a huge bureaucratic giant...
- Discussion 12 : 25/10/2012 at 10:54 PM
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"Ridiculous. 250 soldiers in the US Army is about the size of a company, commanded by a captain." A US and UK company numbers about half that many men.
- Discussion 13 : 25/10/2012 at 10:40 PM
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I think we must understand, our leaders sacrifice their life to protect Thailand since they were young, and because so many Thai people protect Thailand there are many Generals because of this. When soldier hurt, it making us cry, because it is like our arm has got chop off. We love our Generals for protect us.
- Discussion 14 : 25/10/2012 at 10:13 PM
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What is the normal standard being praciticed in other Armed Forces around the world? But I think ours is a bit top-heavy, with so many chiefs but (maybe) not enough indians.
- Discussion 15 : 25/10/2012 at 10:03 PM
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l agree too many generals in the army but which ones ? and what about the police,too many generals on the payroll,but l doubt not one will go ?
- Discussion 16 : 25/10/2012 at 09:53 PM
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Maybe ,Sukhumpol , the solution is simple. Promote on merit and performance not on how many days they has been on the books.
- Discussion 17 : 25/10/2012 at 09:35 PM
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Send them all in the South to help Rangers to patrol local villages...hahaha....
- Discussion 18 : 25/10/2012 at 09:23 PM
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In most armies commissioned officers usually retire no higher than an lieutenant colonel. Thailand's military promotions seem to come automatically. They should only come when there is an opening to fill. Retire the unneeded generals as soon as they turn 60 and do not replace them.
- Discussion 19 : 25/10/2012 at 08:38 PM
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Quality rather than quantity would serve the country very well. As it stands now, it's nothing more than a high end welfare program.
- Discussion 20 : 25/10/2012 at 08:36 PM
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WOW !! 1600 GENERALS ???? !!!! There are ARMIES in this world that barely have that many troops!
I guess most of these old war horses are in "inactive" positions - it would certainly be difficult to find a battlefield big enough to house them all at once. Wonder what the monthly salary cost of this little lot is?
- Discussion 21 : 25/10/2012 at 08:22 PM
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One General for every 250 soldiers. Ridiculous. 250 soldiers in the US Army is about the size of a company, commanded by a captain.
- Discussion 22 : 25/10/2012 at 08:04 PM
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Easy! Demote half the generals to captain.If they don't like it, they can retire.
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