The government yesterday released the royal command for the midfiscalyear reshuffle of 79 military positions, seen as a mostly lowkey rotation in comparison to past assignments involving hundreds of generals.
The shuffling of the 79 positions appears to focus on rewarding officers scheduled for mandatory retirement in September and promoting their replacements. It does not cover key combat units or those officers in charge of the Peacekeeping Operations Command.
The reassigned officers mostly hold nonessential duties or advisory positions.
The highlights of the reshuffle include the elevation of five classmates of Army chief General Anupong Paochinda, who is to retire in September.
General Apichai Songsilp is appointed to the position of chief adviser to the defence minister, with a rank equivalent to field marshal.
General Weerayut Jitsiri and General Annop Sombatthawee are rotated in their advisory duties in the Supreme Command to pave the way for their retirement.
General Thanin Ketut is moved from the position of assistant Army chief of staff to become a senior Army expert ahead of his retirement.
LtGeneral Kittithat Bamnetphan is elevated to the rank of general and appointed to an advisory position as due reward before retirement.
