30 Thai Military Officers Listed as Mafia-Type Suspects by Phairath Khampha 24 December 2001 Evidence that Thailand's military was not clean, honest and dutiful became apparent because the Supreme Command had 30 names on its list of suspected mafia-type officers, including three major-generals, a well-informed source said on December 17, 2001. Those blacklisted included both commissioned and non-commissioned officers serving in the three armed forces and the Supreme Command, the source said. Adm Narong Yuthawong, the supreme commander, admitted there were several senior officers on the list. "There are a lot of them but I don't want to say how many. They range from NCOs to those with the rank of general," he said. Adm Narong said since evidence against those rogue officers remained insufficient, he would use a non-aggressive approach to deter them from involvement in illegal activities. "All of them are known to be military mafia, but we have no hard evidence to take action against them," the supreme commander said. This meant that because they were brothers-in-arms and because Thailand's military, like all the government services, is extremely riddled with corruption, the rogue military men were given the chance to cease and desist rather than be properly charged, tried and convicted, as would efit a country that was supposedly respecting the rule of law. But the average Thai does not respect the rule of law. Several military officers were known to be actively involved with shady groups which provide protection for nightspots, as well as the service of collecting bad debts. Business conflict between rival officers providing security service for the Tesco Lotus superstore chain was the motive behind a series of bomb and gun attacks on some Tesco Lotus branches in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces. Some innocent shoppers were killed in the attacks. Meanwhile, a 10-member panel set up to ensure efficiency and co-operation in the handling of criminal investigation against military people met on December 17 for the first time. The multi-party panel, chaired by Defence Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, was set up to handle problems that may arise from a revised agreement between the Defence and Interior ministries on how police should handle military suspects. Gen Sampan Boonyanant, the permanent secretary of defence, was appointed to head a sub-committee investigating the conduct of alleged mafia-type military officers and relevant complaints. Lt-Gen Surapan Pumkaew, spokesman of the Defence Ministry, said Gen Chavalit required the panel to meet every month. Army chief Gen Surayud Chulanont, meanwhile, ordered that the revised agreement be published in the army's news bulletin, posted on the army's website and included in the curriculum of all army academies. Surayud recalling aides to mafia officers Thai army chief Surayud Chulanont ordered the recall of soldiers acting as assistants to the members of the military mafia. The move was aimed at disassociating the army from the tainted reputation of the military underworld. Gen Surayud said he had ordered unit chiefs to find and recall soldiers sent to escort mafia officers or retired commanders. The army had been given strict orders to take a tough stand against influential mafia figures. No soldiers could be involved in illegal occupations or be involved with drugs. Soldiers should be offered honest sidelines, with emphasis on the farming sector, to supplement their income. Gen Surayud said his policy was to provide adequate welfare to soldiers and encourage them to live modestly within their means. Many soldiers, especially non-commissioned officers, found it hard to make ends meet as they spent heavily on mistresses and gambling, he said.