Military commanders all have Senate posts but say they will have official business elsewhere
The nation’s top military officers, all ex-officio members of the Senate, are unlikely to attend the joint parliamentary session on Thursday to vote for a new prime minister.
Of the 250-member Senate, six positions are reserved for the supreme commander of the armed forces, the defence permanent secretary, the national police chief, and the heads of the army, navy, and air force — who are all senators ex officio.
According to an informed military source, Gen Sanitchanok Sangchan, the permanent secretary for defence, has official business in Lop Buri on Thursday, and Gen Chalermpol Srisawat, the supreme commander of the armed forces, will also be away, on an official trip to Phitsanulok.
Gen Narongphan Jitkaewthae, the army commander-in-chief will go on a border inspection trip, and ACM Alongkorn Wannarat, the air force commander-in-chief, will be on an overseas trip.
The supreme commander had not given any guideline on how his subordinates should vote if they do attend on Thursday, the source said.
Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet, the navy commander-in-chief, said he would be at a ceremony to commemorate an important event for the navy which occurred on July 13, 1893 (Rattanakosin Era 112) during the reign of King Rama 5. Adm Choengchai said the ceremony at Phra Chulachomklao Fort will last all day, and he submitted a letter of leave to the speaker of the Senate.
Asked whether other military chiefs would attend, Adm Choengchai said they would each make their own decision.
He declined to comment when asked whether the ex-officio members of the Senate were opposed to any attempt to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law.
Amending the law was a key part of the Move Forward Party’s election policy. Move Forward won the most seats at the general election and has put together an eight-party coalition to form the new government, if party leader Pita Limjaroenrat can gain enough support from both chambers of parliament, the appointed Senate and the elected House of Representatives. Senate support is viewed as crucial.