A week after a soldier’s mass shooting horrified the nation and called attention to corruption in the ranks, the Royal Thai Army today launched a complaint line for soldiers abused by their superiors. The so-called Army Commander Hotline launched Wednesday morning for military subordinates who feel intimidated or abused by senior officers. The armed forces vowed accountability after Sgt. Maj. Jakrapanth Thomma kicked off his bloody Korat rampage by killing a commanding officer over a disputed shady deal.
Despite saying that all information would be kept confidential, all soldiers would be required to give their names, ranks and units and have their entire conversations recorded. Not sure how that qualifies as “confidential,” but that’s what they said.
“Every matter is secret. Every matter reaches army commanders,” is the hotline’s advertised slogan.
This month’s incident in Korat – the worst mass shooting of its type in memory – has again called attention to the extraordinary power in domestic matters wielded by the military, including its support of periodic coup d’etats, such as that of 2014.
While the military markets its integrity as disciplined defenders of the realm, the recent violence, persistent allegations of abuses, suspicious deaths of trainees and financial improprieties have contributed to a stained reputation in society.
Army commander Gen. Apirat Kongsompong acknowledged as much after the Korat shootings when he said that he would root out crooked financial dealings involving officers. At the time of his bloody rampage, Jakrapanth was aggrieved over a deal involving the marked-up sale of public lands that his slain superior intended to profit from.
Deputy army chief Gen. Nattapol Nakpanich said subordinates will be able to make their complaints to the army through the 24-hour hotline at 02-018-7330.
Nattapol said at a Wednesday morning news conference that high-ranking soldiers throughout the country were told not to abuse their power and be more “thoughtful” toward their subordinates.
“I want the public to rest assured that the army has good intentions, and we’re doing our best,” Nattapol said at the presser this morning.
So, with a hotline and a promise, another problem looks happily solved without resorting to, yaknow, actual accountability.
Related:
Reader Interactions