Thailand Appoints New Army Chief

[Mid]

Thailand appoints new army chief

September 19, 2007

King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej on Wednesday signed a royal command to appoint Assistant Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda as the new army chief, to replace Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, who will retire by the end of September.

The appointment was approved along with other changes in an annual military reshuffle list proposed by the Royal Thai Army, which was earlier sent to the King for royal endorsement and will take effect on October 1.

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english.people.com.cn

[Plus]

What's Saprang's new role?

[Mid]

New Thai army chief appointed

Wednesday 19 September 2007 09:59:29 PM (GMT+7:00)

BANGKOK, Sept 19 (TNA) - Thailand has its new military commanders in an annual military reshuffle which sees General Anupong Paochinda as the new Army Chief, ending weeks of media speculation.

In a royal command which takes effect on October 1, General Anupong Paochinda, assistant army chief, has been promoted to the new army chief. He will succeed Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, who is facing mandatory retirement age of 60 at the end of September.

Another contender for the top post, General Saprang Kalayanamitr, also assistant army commander-in-chief, has been appointed a deputy permanent secretary for Defence.

The generals are key figures in the coup-making Council for National Security (CNS) which toppled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra last year.

Earlier, political observers feared tension might escalate should General Saprang not be promoted to the most powerful position in Thai military.

General Sonthi, also CNS chairman, however, play downs fears about political turmoil, expressing confidence there would not be any instability as feared. (TNA)

MCOT Public Company Limited.

Edited September 19, 2007 by Mid

[george]

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