BANGKOK -- As Thailand prepares to return to civilian rule with elections in March, the army chief's jab at parties calling to shrink defense spending has put the spotlight on the military's political role moving forward.
Given the country's long history with coups, the recent controversy has fueled questions on whether civilian leaders are truly equipped to keep the military in check when they take back the reins for the first time since 2014.
.png?width=178&fit=cover&gravity=faces&dpr=2&quality=medium&source=nar-cms&format=auto&height=100)