BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Phumtham Wechayachai, expressed confidence that the reshuffle of senior military officers will not lead to discord within the armed forces, September 24. He reassured that the appointment of the new Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC) would be appropriate to the current situation, with the selection process based on clear principles, regardless of whether the appointee is from within the NSC or not.
Phumtham addressed concerns about possible conflicts among the newly appointed generals, saying, “I believe there is nothing that will cause rifts within the military. I’ve spoken with both the old and new commanders, and everyone is united. We all have the nation’s best interests in mind. While we may not be perfect and everyone has different viewpoints, I am confident that we can work together.”
He added that the reshuffle list has been finalized, and he is confident with the decisions made. “I’m at ease. There are no problems. Once decisions are made, we move forward with our plans,” he said.
Regarding the peace talks in the southern border provinces, Phumtham acknowledged that progress was halted due to the change in government, but further discussions are pending. When asked whether the new NSC Secretary-General will be involved in the peace talks, Phumtham replied that all matters are interconnected, and the selection process for the NSC position is ongoing, aiming for completion by the end of September.
He dismissed rumors that the new NSC Secretary-General would come from the police force, labeling such claims as speculation. He emphasized that the appointment will follow a principled process, ensuring the best candidate for the role given the current circumstances. (TNA)
