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Winai kept was tight lipped on who will succeed outgoing Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

"Respective armed forces are slated to finalise assignments in the first week of September and the Defence Ministry will then prepare a combined list of the military lineup for royal approval," he said.

He said the armed forces would have a free rein on assignments without any ministerial intervention like in the past.

Sonthi dismissed speculation about any political impact resulting from the naming of his successor.

"I don't see any political linkage to the military lineup," he said.

He said his priority was to ensure that all senior and deserving officers would get a suitable position and ruled out another coup taking place by disappointing generals who failed to get the job.

Sonthi also said he had not finalised the decision about his successor.