The central role of Thailand's internal security operations command in the post-counter-insurgency period / Puangthong R. Pawakapan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Phūangthō̜ng Rungsawatdisap, author.

Series:

Trends in Southeast Asia ; 2017 no. 17.

Trends in Southeast Asia ; 2017 no. 17

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Internal security--Thailand.

Internal security.

National security--Thailand.

National security.

Administrative agencies--Thailand.

Administrative agencies.

Thailand--Military policy.

Thailand.

Thailand--Politics and government--21st century.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (34 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Singapore : ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, 2017.

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

The Thai military's Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) was in charge of a wide range of civil affairs projects during the country's struggle with the communist insurgency between the mid-1960s and the mid-1980s. These projects - including rural development programmes, mass organizations and mobilization campaigns, and psychological operations - provided justification for the military to routinely penetrate the socio-political sphere. Since the Cold War drew to a close, little attention has been paid to ISOC's role and power within the state apparatus. Since the coups of September 2006 and May 2014 that toppled the elected governments, ISOC has been dangerously empowered and increasingly employed by the military regimes to dictate the country's political direction. The power of the Thai military is exerted not only through its use of force but also by means of its socio-political arms. ISOC represents a potent tool with which conservative elites can undermine and control electoral democracy and through which the military can maintain its power.

Contents:

Frontmatter

FOREWORD

The Central Role of Thailand's Internal Security Operations Command in the Post-Counterinsurgency Period / Pawakapan, Puangthong R.

INTRODUCTION

WHY ISOC?

POLITICAL OFFENSIVE

LEGAL LEGITIMACY DURING THE COUNTER-INSURGENCY PERIOD

EXPANSION IN THE SEMI-DEMOCRATIC PERIOD

ISOC IN ANTI-ELECTORAL POLITICS

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 21 Mar 2019).

ISBN:

9789814786829

9814786829

OCLC:

1096436807