Defence Ministry plans to launch security affairs office
The Ministry of Defence will launch an office in October to coordinate security affairs, says defence spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich.
The change was decided by the Defence Council at a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday. The meeting was called to thrash out details of armed forces reform, which involves the restructuring of the defence command structure and the redistribution of manpower.
Maj Gen Kongcheep said the restructuring was aimed at increasing the working flexibility of military units so they can execute multiple duties. The units that will be affected by the restructuring plans will be able to put forward their own plans for how those changes might be implemented.
The spokesman said an important feature of the restructuring has to do with establishing an office to coordinate security affairs with the Internal Security Operations Command, which is under the PM’s Office. The office will open on Oct 1 after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier approved the idea in principle.
The Defence Council also agreed to continue with the programme to cut back on specialist positions and senior officers in active posts. The goal, according to Maj Gen Kongcheep, is to slash the number of existing positions by half by September 2029.
The council meeting also approved an amendment to the royal decree to rearrange the duties of some of personnel attached to the Defence Minister’s office. The amendment will make it necessary for the office to redistribute and, where needed, dissolve some positions, to make the organisation leaner and more efficient.
In addition, the office’s complaint centre will be given augmented responsibilities and authority, which will enable people to file complaints about the military more effectively. Maj Gen Kongcheep insisted the increased responsibilities will not place financial strain on the ministry.
The restructuring of the military is being implemented as part of national reforms.