Pre-cadet applicants quizzed about LGBT, coups and pandemic crisis

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

APPLICANTS for pre-cadet training were recently questioned about unbecoming subjects ranging from the LGBT to military coups and the Prayut government’s handling of the pandemic crisis.

On a third day of censure debate against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and five other cabinet members at parliament, Move Forward MP Phicharn Chaowapatanawong produced a clip exposing the unprecedented inquiries recently conducted during an admission interview with applicants at the Pre-Cadet Academy which, he said, were apparently designed to drop those who may have expressed ”undesirable” views.

Prayut is concurrently the defence minister responsible for various military and police units including the army, navy, air force and police academies for which the Pre-Cadet School produces cadets.

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In the video clip shown during the censure debate broadcast live from parliament, the officials conducting the admission interview asked the pre-cadet applicants whether they agreed to same-sex marriages or befriending homosexuals as well as their opinions about the coups particularly the one staged in 2014 by the then-army chief Prayut and the premier’s handling of the pandemic crisis.

The Move Forward MP remarked the applicants who may have expressed ”undesirable” views including those who are straight but recognise or have sympathy with gays would not pass the interview.

Phicharn said such unbecoming process for the admission to the Pre-Cadet School has been conducted only to deny anyone who may have expressed pro-democracy views or been critical of the Prayut government’s handling of the pandemic crisis the lawful rights to join ranks in the military and police academies.

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Top: Phicharn delivering his speech during the censure debate in Parliament today. 

Home Page: Prime Minister Prayut making a point during today’s debate. Both Photos: Siam Rath