The Legal Structure of Authority in the Deployment and Use of Military Force under Thai Law
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Abstract
This article aims to examine and analyze the command structure for military force deployment and mobilization under Thai law. It explicates the hierarchy of command authority, scope of duties, and power relationships among the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Forces, and the Commanders-in-Chief of the armed forces, within the framework of the Ministry of Defence Administration Act B.E. 2551 (2008) (as amended), the Ministerial Regulation on the Use of Force, Force Deployment, and Readiness B.E. 2545 (2002), and relevant ministerial orders.
The analysis employs systematic legal interpretation grounded in the principles of public law and the rule of law to clarify who holds what authority, under what conditions and procedures, and under what mechanisms of control. The article presents the command structure, decision-making processes, and delegation mechanisms as prescribed by law in both normal and emergency situations, including exceptional cases where commanders may exercise authority urgently. Furthermore, the article analyzes the mechanisms for controlling and overseeing the exercise of military authority under Thai law, including oversight by the executive branch, parliament, and agencies within the Ministry of Defence, to demonstrate the system of checks and balances embedded in the legal framework. This system aligns with the principle of civilian control of the military and the accountability of state power under democratic governance. The article also offers legal considerations that may lead to the review or refinement of relevant provisions to enable the command structure to effectively address contemporary security threats.
This article thus presents an academic exposition of the legal structure governing the exercise of military authority under Thai law, supporting the conduct of state security operations in an orderly, transparent manner consistent with the fundamental principles of a modern state founded on the rule of law and accountable exercise of state power.
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