Assistant army commander Chalermchai Sittisart has been promoted to army chief, succeeding Gen Thirachai Nakwanich when he retires at the end of this month.

His appointment was royally endorsed by His Majesty the King and the list announcing the closely watched annual military reshuffle was published in the Royal Gazette on Friday.

Other key changes include the promotion of Gen Chaichan Changmongkol, from deputy permanent secretary to permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry; Gen Surapong Suwana-adth from chief-of-staff of the Supreme Command to Supreme Commander; and ACM Jom Rungsawang from Royal Thai Air Force chief-of-staff to air force commander.

The choice of the army leader -- the most influential position in the armed forces -- came down to a two-horse race between Gen Chalermchai and army chief-of-staff Pisit Sithisan.

With Gen Chalermchai taking the top job, Gen Pisit will become a deputy army chief on Oct 1.

Gen Chalermchai does not belong to the Burapha Payak (Eastern Tigers) military faction that has dominated the army for more than a decade and includes Gen Prayut and his allies.

A military source said last month that Gen Chalermchai was favoured by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, while Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon backed Gen Pisit.

In other army moves, Lt Gen Apirat Kongsompong, leader of the 1st Army Corps, will become the Army First Region commander, and army adviser Piyawat Nakwanich will head the Army Fourth Region responsible for the South.

Lt Gen Piyawat is a younger brother of the departing army leader.

Source:
courtesy of BANGKOK POST

by BANGKOK POST

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