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Published on September 12, 2007

Sonthi met with Surayud and Boonrawd to discuss the matter for about one hour before the weekly Cabinet meeting.

However, government and military leaders yesterday remained tight-lipped on the naming of the new Army chief even though they conceded they had completed the military line-up.

"The Army reshuffle list, which includes the name of my successor, was forwarded to the Supreme Command a few hours ago," said Sonthi, who is set to retire at the end of the month.

He said that in naming his successor, he had sought and received the blessing from the prime minister.

"But the list can be revised along the way and it is necessary to wait for the royal command on the line-up," he said.

He said he had picked a qualified candidate to succeed him, but refused to reveal the name.

Surayud said Sonthi had told him about the list, which was on its way to him via the Supreme Command and the Defence Ministry.

"I have not had a chance to see the list, though I am ready to submit it for royal approval if no problems are detected," he said.

He said he was not in a position to reveal the name of Sonthi's successor before

the issuing of the royal command.

Supreme commander Gen-eral Boonsarng Niumpradit confirmed that he had received the Army line-up from Sonthi.

"The complete list of assignments for the three wings of the armed forces will reach the Defence Ministry later in the afternoon," he said.

Navy chief Admiral Sati-rapan Keyanont said he anticipated no problem arising from the nomination of a new Army chief.

The Nation