Thailand's Ministry of Defence Announces Major Military Reshuffle Affecting 805 Positions

Thailand's Ministry of Defence has announced a significant military reshuffle involving 805 positions, effective October 1, 2024, as published in the Royal Gazette. This reshuffle marks a pivotal moment for Thailand's security apparatus. General Sarun Phetcharanon (Class 26 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School), the current Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence, has been promoted to Permanent Secretary for Defence. General Amart Boonsuya (Class 27), the current Deputy Army Chief of Staff, will serve as Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence. Vice Admiral Arpa Chapanon (Class 27), a Special Advisor to the Navy, has been appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence. Lieutenant General Jenwit Detkaew (Class 29) moves from Deputy Director of the Judge Advocate General's Department to Director of the Judge Advocate General's Department. At the Supreme Command Headquarters, General Chitchanok Nuchayala (Class 26), Chief of Joint Staff, has been appointed Deputy Supreme Commander. Vice Admiral Suchart Thampithakawet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, will also serve as Deputy Supreme Commander. Air Chief Marshal Waipoj Kengfak, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, has been appointed Deputy Supreme Commander. General Natthapong Pherakaew (Class 26), Deputy Chief of Staff, will become Chief of Staff. General Anuparp Sirimongkol, Head of the Military Staff attached to the Commander-in-Chief, has been appointed Deputy Supreme Commander. Vice Admiral Thadawut Thatpithakkul (Class 27), Chief of Naval Staff, will serve as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff. Lieutenant General Thawatchai Thangpithakkul, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, will be Deputy Chief of Staff. Lieutenant General Jakrapong Janpengpen, Director of Military Operations, will become Commander of the Joint Capability Command. Major General Chatree Janpitak, Deputy Director of Military Operations, will become Director of Military Operations. Major General Jirayuth Sriglaew, Deputy Director of the Adjutant General's Department, will become Commander of the Cyber Command. In the Army, General Naromlit Kampira (Class 26), Deputy Army Chief of Staff, has been promoted to Deputy Army Chief of Staff. General Kamchai Wongsri, a Special Expert of the Army, will become Chairman of the Army Advisory Board. Lieutenant General Norathip Phoinok (Class 26), Fourth Army Area Commander, has been promoted to Deputy Army Chief of Staff. Lieutenant General Sarawut Chaisit (Class 28), Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, will be promoted to Deputy Army Chief of Staff. Lieutenant General Awut But-amnuay (Class 26), an Army Advisor, will become Army Chief of Staff. Major General Chakrit Ujjarat, Deputy Fourth Army Area Commander, will become Fourth Army Area Commander. Major General Sitthiporn Julpana, Deputy First Army Area Commander, will become First Army Division Commander. Major General Natt Sri-in, Deputy Second Army Area Commander, will become Second Army Division Commander. Major General Narongrit Panikabutra, Deputy Third Army Area Commander, will become Third Army Division Commander. Major General Chalermphon Khamkhiao, Deputy Fourth Army Area Commander, will become Fourth Army Division Commander. There are no changes for the First, Second, and Third Army Area Commanders. In the Navy, Admiral Naret Wongtaragon (Class 26), Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy. Admiral Suwat Donsakul, Deputy Chief of Staff, will become Chairman of the Navy Advisory Board. Vice Admiral Korawit Chayarotee (Class 26), Commander of the Royal Thai Fleet, will serve as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy. Vice Admiral Thungngern Jongrakchob (Class 27), a Special Advisor to the Navy, will become Commander of the Royal Thai Fleet. Vice Admiral Songsak Joompamarn (Class 27), Director of the Naval Security Coordination Office with the Internal Security Operations Command, will become a Special Expert of the Navy. Vice Admiral Weerudom Muangjeen (Class 27), Commander of the Naval Area Command 3, will become Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. Vice Admiral Apichart Subcharoen (Class 28), Commander of the Marine Corps, will become a Special Expert of the Navy. Vice Admiral Thepparit Laoplee (Class 27), Commander of the Naval Area Command 2, will become Chief of Naval Staff. Vice Admiral Natthapol Phromkhunthong (Class 28), Director of Naval Intelligence, will become Commander of the Naval Area Command 3. Rear Admiral Veerachai Leekaa, Deputy Commander of the Marine Corps, will become Commander of the Marine Corps. Rear Admiral Parit Chathasing, Director of Naval Finance, will become Commander of the Naval Area Command 2. Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan (Class 28), Deputy Director of Naval Communication and Information Technology, and Navy Spokesperson, will become Director of Naval Communication and Information Technology. In the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Watcharaphol Muangnoi (Class 27), Deputy Air Force Commander-in-Chief, will be promoted to Deputy Air Force Commander-in-Chief. Air Chief Marshal Rawin Thanomsing (Class 26), Commander of the Air Operations Control Command, will become Deputy Air Force Commander-in-Chief. Air Chief Marshal Anurak Ramanaruk (Class 28), Air Force Chief of Staff, will become Deputy Air Force Commander-in-Chief. Air Chief Marshal Pichitchai Surakijpipat (Class 27), Head of the Military Staff attached to the Commander-in-Chief, will become Commander of the Air Operations Control Command. Air Marshal Jakkarit Thammawichai (Class 29), Deputy Air Force Chief of Staff and Air Force Spokesperson, will become Air Force Chief of Staff. Air Marshal Nitat Yuprathep (Class 28), Director of Air Operations, will become Head of the Military Staff attached to the Commander-in-Chief. Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kanta (Class 26), the current Air Force Commander-in-Chief, is scheduled to retire in September 2027.