However, it was military tradition to select the new head of a unit from among the deputy heads, he said. The unit chief should be blamed if the reshuffle gave the position to a candidate with lesser qualifications as a result of "outside influence", Sirichai said.

"These commanders have to be strong enough to resist the influence. They are solely to blame in such a case," he said.

As deputy Army commander a few years ago, Sirichai was overlooked when Gen Pravit Wongsuwan was promoted from assistant commander to Army chief in place of Gen Chaiyasit Shinawatra, who was appointed armed forces supreme commander.

Sirichai was moved to become a deputy Supreme Command chief and was once again transferred to become Defence permanent secretary when he could have succeeded Chaiyasit as supreme commander - a post considered more honourable.