Military chiefs ‘happy’ with Thai PM

By The Nation | Source: News Desk

Military commanders are happy that Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra will double as defence minister, according to retired General Yuthasak Sasiprapha, the newly appointed deputy defence minister.

Yuthasak said yesterday he was assured of this by Supreme Commander General Thanasak Patimapakorn and Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Colonel Jaroon Ampha, an adviser to the National Security Council, said yesterday he believed Yingluck taking up the defence portfolio would help improve the situation in the insurgency-hit deep South. “She could make direct orders that are up-to-date. It will be easier to solve problems in the South,” he said.

However, opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he doubted the change would help improve the situation in the South. He said the deputy defence minister would take care of the job for her. Abhisit added that he suspected the appointment of a deputy minister was just a way for the government to increase its presence in the ministry’s top panel that decides on transfers.

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