Military transfers to be known when PM returns
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday said she would look into the military transfer lists after returning from her visit to Indonesia.
When asked if she had looked into the annual transfer lists, the prime minister said: "Not yet. I will look into it after returning from the trip."
Outgoing armed forces supreme commander General Songkitti Jakkabatra yesterday said he did not know if the prime minister would make any changes to the military transfer lists submitted by the Ministry of Defence. "I don't want to comment about this," he said.
Songkitti said he was convinced the proposed transfer lists would be acceptable to the armed forces and the public.
He also denied any conflict between armed force leaders and Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha about certain positions on the transfer lists, particularly the new permanent secretary for defence. He said the Defence Council had made its decision about the positions already.
"I don't think this matter will sour ties between the armed forces and the government. The armed forces have to follow government policies," he said.
At the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy yesterday, a parade of guards of honour was organised for the armed forces supreme commander, who is to retire at the end of this month.
Songkitti told a gathering of the academy's cadets that they should remain united to serve the nation, the religion, the monarchy, and the people. He also said they should retain professionalism and prepare themselves to become commanders in the future.
