Generals dominate Thai king’s council

THAILAND’S new King Maha Vajiralongkorn appointed top army brass to his powerful advisory body yesterday, including three generals linked to the ruling junta.

The move illustrates the close militaryroyal alliance that has defined Thai politics for the last five decades, an era that has seen flirtations with democracy punctuated by multiple palace-endorsed coups.

In a statement broadcast on all television stations, it was announced that Vajiralongkorn has trimmed the size of his Privy Council from 16 to 11, keeping eight members appointed by his father and elevating three new ones.

Two of the newcomers are members of the military government’s current cabinet, Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya and Education Minister General Dapong Ratansuwan. The third new member is General Teerachai Nakvanich, who became army chief under the junta in 2015 and retired earlier this year.

They join three ex-generals who keep their positions, giving the armed forces a majority on the council.

The deeply revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died in October aged 88 after a seven-decade reign, leaving the politically turbulent country bereft of a unifying fig- ure. His only son, 64-year-old Vajiralongkorn, was proclaimed king last week.

The constitutional monarchy has limited formal power but is one of the world’s richest and attracts the loyalty of much of the elite. Privy councillors wield significant political influence from behind the scenes and have been appointed interim prime ministers after some previous coups.

Paul Chambers, a Thailand-based expert on the Thai monarchy, said the council’s new makeup suggested the new king was seeking a “balancing of military factions” that included members from different cliques.