BANGKOK, 8 September 2014 – His Majesty the King has granted royal endorsement for the nomination of a number of military officials to their new positions.
A royal command has been announced in the Royal Gazette to officially approve new positions assigned to a total of 1,092 military officials. Their appointments are scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2014. One of the appointees is Army Chief of Staff Gen Sirichai Ditthakul, who has been named the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense.
Among the new military top brass are Gen Worapong Sa-nganet who becomes the Supreme Commander replacing Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn, Gen Udomdej Sitabutr who becomes the Army Commander-in-Chief replacing Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, Adm Kraisorn Chansuvanich who becomes the Navy Commander-in-Chief replacing Adm Narong Pipathanasai, and ACM Trithot Sonjaeng who becomes the Air Force Commander-in-Chief replacing ACM Prajin Juntong.
Meanwhile, Assistant Army Chief Gen Paiboon Khumchaya is appointed one of the deputy supreme commanders while Assistant Army Chief Gen Chatchai Sarikalya is named one of the deputy army chiefs. Commander of the Third Army Region Lt Gen Preecha Chan-ocha, Gen Prayuth’s younger brother, is promoted to the position of Assistant Army Chief.
