DEFENCE Minister Suthin Klangsang today (Aug. 5) ordered all army supervisors and trainers at all training camps nationwide undergo mental health checkup after 10 privates were stripped naked and abused by two non-commissioned officers while undergoing training at a camp in Chiang Mai, Amarin TV said today (Aug. 5).
The minister held a tense meeting with Gen. Ukrit Boontanon, assistant army commander, Lt.Gen.Chitsanupong Rodsiri, 1st Army Area Commander, and Lt. Gen. Anupha Sirimonthon, head of the army’s Civil Affairs Department, about 10 privates attached to the 25th Cavalry Battalion of the 4th Cavalry Regiment, King’s Guard, having been abused by two non-commissioned officers.
A community Facebook page, Sai Mai Tong Rod (Sai Mai District Must Survive), had mentioned that the sister of one of the 10 privates had complained that recently a corporal and a sergeant, who were drunk, ordered them to strip naked and stand in the rain and the cold in the middle of the night for six hours.
During this time they were slapped, kicked and stomped.
She added that many other privates too had been assaulted but this was done in a way to not show any external wounds but it is painful within the body.
Suthin said the army had sent him a report about this incident but he wanted more details and learned that this occurred twice, in March and August.
Those involved in both cases have been investigated and punished.
He noted that the punishment meted out to the perpetrators was appropriate with regulations concisely written but revision might be needed on implementing them both in terms of investigation and court martial.
Although they have already been punished for the public’s peace of mind a committee has been set up to determine whether those found guilty had been adequately punished.
Both times this abuse occurred at camps near the border where soldiers have to be ready for battle and there are tougher measures in place than other training camps.
However those who abuse junior officers should undergo disciplinary investigation and face court martial if found to have broken regulations.
As it is possible that supervisors and trainers could get stressed and mete out abusive punishment, especially in the case of ordering the 10 privates to strip naked and stand in the night’s rain and cold for six hours, the direct commanders were told to undertake mental health checkup of all of them at all training camps nationwide.
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Top and Front Page: Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang and a pixelated image of the naked privates in the background. Photo: Amarin TV
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