"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.

Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin last week ordered the transfers 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 shifted were seen as being close to Thaksin's allies from Pre-Cadet Class 10.

The Class 10 graduates of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School are Thaksin's classmates and they 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 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 that each of the three Armed Forces branches would complete drawing up a tentative rotation list by next week before starting to compile a unified list.

Ruengroj and Sirichai are due for mandatory retirement in September.

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 the chief of joint staff.