Military reshuffle list finally ready, Defence spokesman says

"Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha and military commanders are happy about the job rotations," he said, denying rumours about a rift between the government and the military.

Thanathip said there was no government interference and the new job assignments had been done in accordance with the existing rules and regulations.

Initially, on September 1, Yuthasak and the commanders reached a consensus on the annual reallocations and proposed that General Kanit Sapitak be moved from his current post of chief adviser to the defence minister to that of deputy supreme commander.

Even though Kanit's current position had been created on an ad hoc basis, the military suggested the government retain this position so it can be used to give someone a promotion.

The military then immediately had General Puchong Rattanawan, commander of the National Defence Studies Institute, replace Kanit - a move that many said was tantamount to filling the position even before the government decided to retain the post.

The reshuffle list and the military's request to keep the post open were submitted for royal endorsement via Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra two weeks ago. However, the royal endorsement was put on hold pending review of the post.

Government House officials said that though former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was disappointed he could not step in and dispense favours due to new military regulations being put in effect after the 2006 coup, he did not object to the new military line-up.

However, Thaksin is urging the government to do away with the post that Kanit was holding and many observers see this as a strong signal to rein in military commanders, especially Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. In other words, the bottomline is that top commanders should be mindful that the government could remove them if they act out of turn.

With the request to keep the position open still being reviewed, many people are speculating that the military rotations might be amended due to two rival candidates, General Sathien Permthong-in and General Wittawat Ratchatanan,

Sathien and Wittawat both went to pre-cadet school with Thaksin, are reportedly close friends and are said to have ended their friendly race with an amicable arrangement. Wittawat is slated to become permanent secretary for Defence, with Sathien taking over the position of Defence inspector.

Last week, Yingluck finalised her decision to turn down the military's request to keep Kanit's former position open and on Monday, Government House sent the reshuffle list back for revision.

Yesterday, the military decided to not move Kanit, while Puchong, who was previously meant to take over, will become deputy supreme commander.

The latest reshuffle list should be handed in for royal approval this week.