In 2024, Thailand has once again entered a new chapter in its history.
The Thaksin camp has successfully combined political and military power through its unique strategy, forming a new style of governance that has fundamentally altered the political landscape of Siam.
Recently, the biggest news is the Thai King’s reappointment of 808 military positions, completely replacing the senior commanders of the Army and Navy.
On September 21, 2024, a document signed by the 31st Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, was officially released by the Thai Prime Minister's Office, appointing these 808 military positions.
This appointment was approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the tenth king of Thailand.
All 808 appointed positions are military roles; civilian personnel are not included.
The primary institutions responsible for the appointments are the Thai monarchy and the Thai Prime Minister's Office, with high-level leaders involved including the King and Prime Minister Prayut.
Moreover, this series of military changes is entirely led by the Thaksin camp, with Defense Minister Pravit Wongsuwan personally signing the appointment documents, which received royal approval.
Throughout this process, there was no intervention from the "Dual-Police Military."
This appointment reflects the Thaksin camp's absolute control over the military while strengthening protection over the monarchy.
This change not only signifies the complete dismantling of the previous "Dual-Police Military" structure but also marks an unprecedented consolidation in Thai history.
Notably, during a meeting with Prayut, the Thai King mentioned, "We have established a communication channel, so you can tell me directly if there’s anything in the future."
This statement demonstrates the close relationship between the two, bringing hope and stability to Thailand's future.
It also implies that the older "Dual-Police" forces will gradually exit the historical stage, with Thaksin replacing both military and civilian leadership.
The principles of Thaksinomics have merged with a large military system, clearly playing a key role in the new political landscape.
The hardships experienced by Yingluck during her exile now seem trivial.
Thaksin's return to Thailand will ensure that he makes no further mistakes and will not allow the military to seize control of the Prime Minister's Office again.
The current Prime Minister Prayut's struggle against "Yingluck" will soon reach a conclusion, as the military forces attempting to push her off the throne now struggle to form a united front.
Among the 808 military positions changed, the most attention is undoubtedly on the appointments of the commanders of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Navy, and Army.
The new Army commander is General Pana, while Admiral Jiraphong takes command of the Navy.
It is worth noting that the positions of the Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters and the Air Force Commander remain unchanged.
General Pana's appointment carries significant meaning for two main reasons.
Firstly, the Thai Army holds absolute superiority among the three armed forces; often, references to the military pertain to the Army due to its dominant role.
Secondly, General Pana's ascension signals his challenge against a specific Thai power faction.
General Pana’s full name is Pana Khaeprathong, commonly known as "Big Pu," which shares a name with Yingluck.
In Thai politics and the military, "Big" typically refers to important figures or senior generals, while "Pu" is part of his name.
General Pana's appointment is bolstered by multiple recommendations, primarily from Defense Minister Pravit, indicating his close ties to the Thaksin camp;
Additionally, former Army Commander Chalinchai hinted at his nomination, underscoring his solid capabilities;
Finally, former Army Commander Apirat's appreciation for him also provided strong support for his promotion.
Apirat held important positions in the military and maintained close connections with the monarchy, further enhancing Pana's status within the armed forces.
It is crucial to emphasize that although General Pana comes from the military, he has no ties to the "Dual-Police," which is one of the main reasons for his significant role within the Thaksin camp.
Next, let’s briefly introduce the concept of the "Three Brothers" (3 ป.), referring to three influential figures in the Thai military: former Prime Minister Prayut, Yingluck, and Anupong, who play significant roles in Thai politics and have close relations with one another.
The "Pra Prayong" faction is a new military faction established by the "Dual-Police," primarily composed of members from military units in eastern Thailand, exerting considerable influence. This faction played a crucial role during Thaksin's administration.
General Pana's career trajectory has garnered significant attention since he became the commander of the 11th Infantry Division.
His outstanding performance in military school and subsequent master's degree in mechanical engineering from the U.S. showcase a robust academic background.
Due to his family background and military tradition, General Pana has steadily risen in the military ranks, considered one of the future leaders of the Thai Army.
In 2022, he was promoted to Commander of the First Army Region, marking his growing importance within the military.
General Pana's close ties to the "Red Shirts" make him a key figure in the Thai military-political arena, with many believing his appointment relates to maintaining Thai traditions and resisting emerging forces.
In the future, the combination of the Thaksin camp and the "Red Shirts" will play a crucial role in Thailand's stability and development, as their alliance may be a significant strategy against rising powers.
Thailand is undergoing unprecedented changes, and under Thaksin's leadership, stability and development have become the keywords for the future.
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