"Every general is qualified for the job and I don't know who will get what position and at what time," Thamarak said before chairing the meeting.

He was slated to outline instructions to fill vacant positions at the meeting, which took place right after a session of the Defence Council.

Seen conferring with Thamarak were the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Supreme Commander General Ruengroj Mahasaranont and Permanent Secretary for Defence General Sirichai Thanyasiri.

The drawing up of annual military rotations has generated wide publicity after Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin last week ordered the transfer of 129 battalion-level commanders.

Many military and political observers viewed Sonthi's move as a snub to caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, because some of the officers moved were seen as being close to Thaksin's allies from PreCadet Class 10.

The graduates of Class 10 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School are Thaksin's classmates and lined up on Wednesday to wish him a happy birthday.

Thamarak insisted that Thaksin had not interfered with the military rotation, although he stopped short of commenting on Sonthi's fate.

"I have yet to see the tentative reshuffle list drawn up by the armed forces before I can comment on any specific position," he said.

He and other military leaders confirmed, however, that each of the three armed forces would complete drawing up tentative rotation lists by next week before starting to compile a unified list.

Ruengroj and Sirichai are due for mandatory retirement in September, opening up two top positions.

According to unconfirmed reports, Sirichai is poised to recommend his deputy, Admiral Bannawit Kengrian, as his successor. Ruengroj is pushing for his deputy, General Boonsarng Niampradit, to take his place.

Rumours in the Army have it that General Pornchai Kranlert, seen as close to Thaksin, will not replace Sonthi as speculated.

Pornchai is likely to retain his position of assistant Army chief, biding time until Sonthi's retirement next year.

General Songkitti Chakkabatr, another Thaksin ally, is slated for promotion as a joint chief of staff.

The Nation