Gen Songkitti endorsed as new supreme commander

The most powerful in the Thai military General Anupong Paochinda retained his position of Army chief.

Songkitti who formerly Joint Chief of Staff would take the position officially on October 1, when Boonsarng retired at the age of 60.

 The new supreme commander Sonkitti is the former classmate of the Army chief Anupong at the 10th class of the PreCadet Academy. Both also are former classmate of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 The reshuffle also brought the Assistance to the Army Chief General Jiradej Kocharat to be the deputy army chief and Fourth Army Region Commander Viroj Buacharoon was promoted as the assistance to the army chief.

 The First Army Region Commander Lt.General Prayut Chanocha was picked up as the army chief of staff. The position of the First Army Region Commander would be filled by Maj.General Kanit Sapitak. Maj.General Pichet Wisaichorn formerly the deputy commander of the Second Army Region replaced Viroj as the commander of the Fourth Army Region.

 The reshuffle at the Navy brought Admiral Kamthorn Phumpirun to become the commander replacing Admiral Satirapan Keyanon who retired. Admiral Somdej Thongpium, special advisor at the Navy was promoted to be the deputy Navy chief.

 At the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong who is formerly the air chief of staff succeeded ACM Chalit Phukpasuk as the Royal Thai Air Force chief. ACM Kanaphan Sanguansat was the deputy commander of the Air Force Commander. Air Marshal Manit Saphanpang was picked up as the air chief of staff.

 At the Defense Ministry, Deputy Permanent Secretary General Gen. Apichart Penkitti was promoted as the Permanent Secretary General replacing Gen. Winai Phattiyakul who retired. ACM Phutthi Mangkalapuek took the position of the deputy permanent secretary genera.