New military leaders join NCPO ranks
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has appointed four new armed forces leaders as members of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), with the incoming army chief Chalermchai Sitthisart becoming the new NCPO secretary-general.
The other three new NCPO members, who officially assume their top military roles today, are permanent secretary for defence, Gen Chaicharn Changmongkol, Supreme Commander Surapong Suwanna-at, and air force commander ACM Chom Rungsawang.
The appointments, ordered under Section 42 of the interim constitution by Gen Prayut in his capacity as NCPO chief, were published in the Royal Gazette and took immediate effect.
With the four new appointments, the number of NCPO members remains at 15.
Gen Chalermchai took over the roles of both the army chief and the NCPO secretary-general from Gen Teerachai Nakwanich, who retired yesterday.
Handpicked by Gen Prayut to lead the army in the annual military reshuffle, Gen Chalermchai will have two years in office and will retire as army chief on Sept 30 2018.
A ceremony marking the handover of the army chief post was held at the army headquarters yesterday.
Addressing a gathering of high-ranking army officers, the new army chief vowed to transform the army into a main pillar supporting the country’s three most important institutions — the nation, the religions and the monarchy.
He also pledged to command the army with moral integrity and to perform his duties to the best of his ability.
Military sources said earlier that Gen Chalermchai’s skills i n special warfare would make him a good choice as army chief.
Speaking at another handover ceremony at the air force academy in Don Muang, ACM Chom said he will turn the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) into a leading force in Asean, adding that the RTAF will continue to fully back the government and the NCPO.
ACM Chom also said the RTAF will do its bit to ensure the transition to democracy and that the general election, which is expected by the end of next year, will proceed smoothly.