Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is a man on a mission, striving to bring a fresh perspective to the corridors of power within Thailand’s Defence Ministry. As he juggles the roles of both Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Phumtham acknowledges the weight of the challenges he faces, candidly admitting that some pestering issues remain untamed under his watch.
Reflecting on his performance since he took the helm of the ministry on September 3, Phumtham has had to confront certain setbacks. “We’ve faced some rough patches and not everything has gone according to plan,” he admits with transparency. However, he remains determined, seeing each challenge as an opportunity to deepen his understanding and refine his approach.
Gone are the days of his fiery university years when his viewpoints clashed sharply with military perspectives. Now, as the minister, Phumtham is seeing the military through a transformative lens. “Being in this position is like stepping into a whole new world,” he confides, as his initial conflicting ideas with the ministry’s direction are gradually being molded into a coherent strategy.
The key to navigating this complex landscape, according to Phumtham, lies in building bridges of trust and understanding with military leaders. “It’s all about open dialogue and mutual respect,” he emphasizes. Through frequent discussions with military leaders, including the defence permanent secretary and the deputy defence minister—himself a seasoned soldier—Phumtham aims to foster a culture of collaboration and respect for the challenges they each face.
Phumtham’s journey to his current position has been nothing short of remarkable, considering his past affiliations with the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) in the 1970s, which might have made his ascent to the defence portfolio seem unlikely to some. Yet, he has ascended through the political ranks, and today he stands as a significant player, shaping policies from within.
Even as some may doubt the appropriateness of his role, Phumtham is unfazed, leaning heavily on his commitment to engage with military leaders to navigate thorny issues. “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he remarks, underscoring the patience required to resolve deeply entrenched conflicts.
Despite calls for legal amendments to protect against military coups, Phumtham sees such measures as futile. This is in light of a bill proposed by Pheu Thai Party MP Prayuth Siripanich, aimed at modifying the Defence Ministry Administration Act to disallow military involvement in government takeovers. The bill suggests that officers refusing to partake in such acts would be shielded from being penalized under military criminal law.
Phumtham remains steadfast in his belief that mutual understanding and dialogue are far more effective than legislative changes in preventing coups. With the determination to create lasting positive change, Phumtham continues to navigate the complex interplay of political and military dynamics, unwavering in his bid to lay down a legacy of dialogue and trust.
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