Thai democracy protesters turning the military to their side

As many as two-thirds of middle ranking military officers support Thai protesters’ demands for greater democracy.

Pro-democracy protesters rally in Bangkok on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

Thailand’s embattled Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-o-cha, has been cleared of opposition allegations he breached the country’s constitution, the latest challenge to his leadership as pro-democracy protests enter their sixth month.

But the retired general and former junta leader is facing a potentially thornier problem still, with simmering discontent within the armed forces now spilling over into support for protesters’ demands for sweeping reforms.

The country’s constitutional court ruled unanimously late on Wednesday that General Prayuth had not breached ethics by staying rent and utilities-free in a military house staffed by enlisted men, despite having retired from the military in 2014.

Had the court ruled against him — a remote possibility at best — General Prayuth would have had to step down as Prime Minister and dissolve his cabinet, clearing the way for a caretaker government and elections.

The ruling sparked outrage among protesters who had gathered in central Bangkok ahead of the verdict and vowed to intensify their campaign to oust Prayuth.

But it has also highlighted gross inequities in the military, long a source of resentment among lower and mid-ranking soldiers who must negotiate rampant cronyism and patronage networks to secure promotion.

That resentment, it seems, is translating into support for protesters’ demands for sweeping reform including fresh elections, a new constitution and reform of the monarchy — a hitherto taboo subject in Thailand where criticism of the monarchy attracts hefty jail time.

A Thai army spokeswoman was forced to issue a public warning this week over social media posts by serving military personnel expressing support for the protesters. “If you are posting things that are creating misunderstanding and provocation that would create instability, that is inappropriate,” Colonel Sirijan Ngathong said.

One mid-ranking Thai military officer told The Australian there were “many armed forces personnel who disagree with the government and the military, but can’t show themselves” for fear of retribution.

“I would say 60 to 70 per cent of armed forces personnel are not happy with the institution,” he said, adding the protesters’ demands were “reasonable” and that they were being discussed within trusted military circles.

“If the protesters win I think Thailand will change for the better but I don’t think that’s going to happen soon. It’s difficult to say where this will end. Maybe we will have to wait for the next reign.”

The officer said he and many fellow personnel had recently been ordered to open Twitter accounts, and that he believed they would soon be ordered to start posting pro-government propaganda.

“I have resisted so far but they will eventually check. They have warned all military not to join protests, not to post anything against government online. If you do they will call you in and warn you to stop. If you keep doing it then they may put you in the military jail.

“It’s scary and pathetic. If your commander says ‘you must put on a (pro-royalist) yellow shirt and go to the protest and act like you love the King’ you have no choice but to do that. I think that day will soon come.”

Protesters have called for King Vajiralongkorn — the controversial son of the much-loved late king Bhumibol — to return $US40bn ($54bn) in crown property assets to the people, to live within a royal budget, and for new laws preventing the king from expressing political opinion.

The serving officer also described the annual selection of military personnel for King Vajiralongkorn’s personal armed forces as a widely dreaded event.

“If you are unlucky enough to be chosen some resign from the army … because once you get in his system you never know what will happen to you in the future.

“Today you could be a captain commander but if you do something wrong, or if he is disappointed or disagrees with something you do, tomorrow you will be a private and sent to jail. And not just you but your family as well.”