Royal Thai Armed Forces to support national reform

BANGKOK, November 26 (TNA) - The Defence Council has ordered the Royal Thai Armed Forces to support national reform and to analyze Japan’s policy on expanding its military roles overseas. Defence Ministry Spokesman Colonel Khongcheep Tantrawanit told journalists of the information on Wednesday, following a Defence Council meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon. Colonel Khongcheep said units under the direct supervision of the Defence Ministry and Royal Thai Armed Forces chiefs have been instructed to enhance the capabilities of their personnel to support national reform, being worked out by the interim government through the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the National Reform Council (NRC). According to the spokesman, the deputy premier and the defence minister also ordered the Royal Thai Armed Forces to analyze the Japanese policy on expanding its military roles overseas, including impacts and possible cooperation from Thailand. Meanwhile, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, secretary to the NRC's whip committee, announced his resignation as a member of the Democrat Party, in which he had been a member for nearly 20 years, reasoning that he wants to support the NRC's neutrality. The Democrat Party deputy leader declined to speak of the future of his political career after the conclusion of the NRC. His resignation from the Democrat Party takes effect on November 27. (TNA)