Organization: Central Michigan University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Wed, 18 Nov 1992 15:02:37 EST
From:         Elliott Parker <3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject:      TH: Minister responds to military criticism

=======================  Forwarded  Message  ===========================
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 92 00:51:45+0700
From: Kamol Hengkietisak <kamol@ipied.tu.ac.th>
Subject: Bangkok Post Nov 18: Minister responds to Officer's criticism

CABINET ministers yesterday reacted strongly to comments by a
senior military officer Monday that there was only
"business-politics" at present and no "politics of honour".

Deputy Finance Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri was particularly
incensed by the comments by Territorial Defence Department
director Lt-Gen Yuthapan Makkaramanee, saying officials should
"watch their mouth" and beware of the "stain of dictatorship in
their subconscious".

In a further test of the political atmosphere, Lt-Gen Yuthapan
also said his friend and fellow Class 5 officer, disgraced former
prime minister Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon, should enter politics in
an effort to recover his honour and reputation by returning to the
premiership.

Mr Trairong, a Democrat Party executive, said government officials
should be careful of what they say and bear in mind where their
duties lay and take care of that.

The people now understand the political system and take an active
interest, while civil servants are people they have hired to do a
limited job.

He said he did not see how the country was under a system of
"business politics" and did not know how much of an understanding
the critic had of the democratic system.

"If one's subconscious still has the stain of dictatorship then
one may see the democratic system as bothersome," he said.

  Mr Trairong said people should just do their jobs and not "shoot
off their mouth by interfering with others".

He said the problems the Chuan Leekpai administration was now
facing were caused by previous administrations, including the
budget bill and Amnesty Executive Decree.

Deputy Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said Lt-Gen Yuthapan's
comments may be the result of a "narrow mind".

He also said he did not know whether it was possible for Gen
Suchinda to enter politics and return as prime minister to recoup
his honour, but people should enter politics for the benefit of
society and not to revive their lost honour.

Deputy Prime Minister Banyat Bantadtan said the comments by Lt-Gen
Yuthapan would not have any effect on the political arena just
like during the "ancient times" because everything had changed and
military leaders generally expressed good opinions of the
Government.

Whether or not Gen Suchinda can return to politics will be up to
the people to decide and will be known when the time comes.

He said he did not take the comments of one soldier as
representative of the whole military. He did not view it as
political interference.

Interior Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said Lt-Gen Yuthapan had
the right to offer comments in public but he should have
considered whether his doing so was appropriate.

He said everyone should try to help enhance internal stability and
unity because the country had many problems which needed to be
solved.

He said people who wanted to enter politics should have the desire
to help solve the country's problems, not just salvage their
"dignity" as Lt-Gen Yuthapan suggested.

Deputy Interior Minister Chamni Sakdises also said politics was
not a matter of individual honour but of national affairs. A
person must have the right line of thinking before he volunteers
to serve the country.

"The May incident should be a clear indication of what the people
think," he said.

Both Defence Minister Vijit Sukmark and Deputy Defence Minister
Sombat Rodphothong said Lt-Gen Yuthapan's comments were only a
personal opinion.
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