BANGKOK, Sept 30 Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the prime minister and chief of the National Council for Peace and Order, retired as commander in chief of the Thai army today.
He was succeeded by Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, deputy defence minister and deputy Army chief.
Gen Prayut is confident that his successor will make the Royal Thai Army a national and ASEAN army.
The succession ceremony took place at Army headquarters in Bangkok at 10.30am today.
A parade and ranks of Army soldiers bid farewell to Gen Prayut who served as the 37th Army chief for four years.
Gen Prayut congratulated Gen Udomdej and thanked subordinates for their trust in him and his work.
Gen Prayut said he believed the new Army chief would work for the national interest and be calm and determined to strengthen the Army and develop its important roles in ASEAN.
Gen Udomdej thanked Gen Prayut for his contributions to the Army. He promised to work with honesty, supervise subordinates with righteousness and fairness, proceed with policies and promote national security, unity and stability.
After the ceremony, Gen Prayut greeted personnel present and waved farewell to Army officers while traveling in his limousine heading for Government House where he works in his capacity as prime minister.
