Bangkok: The House Committee on Military Affairs has issued an invitation to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and the Commanders of the Armed Forces to provide explanations regarding the classification of military general rankings as secret information. This move follows the military's assertion that the number of generals is classified.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chaiyapol Satondee, Bangkok MP from the Prachachon Party and spokesman for the House of Representatives Military Affairs Committee, announced at a press conference that a session is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. The session aims to address the secrecy surrounding military general strength figures, following the military's refusal to disclose these details, citing them as secret. The committee seeks to understand which information is accessible to them in an effort to foster transparency among the public. Invitations have been extended to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, the Supreme Commander, and the Commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to provide clarification. However, there has been no response from these agencies thus far. Should the armed forces' leaders fail to engage, another press conference is planned for tomorrow.
Mr. Chaiyapol emphasized that the requested information should not be classified as secret, as it hinders the committee's ability to scrutinize the military budget effectively. He expressed concerns that the army has shown a lack of respect for the committee's role, despite the committee's intention to assist in military reform. This includes reducing the number of generals and optimizing budget allocation to enhance military efficiency.
Mr. Chaiyapol further argued that the number of top generals should not remain a secret, pointing out inconsistencies in the military's stance. While the army acknowledges that not all generals have significant roles, the exact number is not disclosed. He noted that other countries, such as the United States and South Korea, openly share this information online. In contrast, Thailand only reveals the number of generals at events through social media posts, without providing official documentation upon request by the Military Committee. This lack of transparency, he suggested, reflects an inherent contradiction.