Military reshuffle list has been submitted: Yingluck

“Upon completion of the name and rank checks, I have signed to approve the reshuffle list,” Yingluck said, ending speculation the government may review the dispensing of military job assignments.

The speculation spread after Army chief of staff General Sirichai Distakul, seen as close to Pheu Thai Party, was slated to take a lesser position as Army assistant chief.

But Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat made a deal last week with military commanders, including Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. Because of a dispute between Prayuth and his permanent-secretary General Sathien Permtong-in, Sukampol allowed Prayuth to have a complete say in lining up the Army’s top echelons.

In exchange, Prayuth and top commanders agreed to stay out of the row, supporting the minister in reining in his permanent-secretary and defusing a government-military confrontation.

Since the ruling party came to power last year, Prayuth has reportedly been unhappy with the job performance of Sirichai.

Because of his personal ties, Sirichai appeared to have overlooked his military chain of command in order to facilitate government projects under the Internal Security Operations Command.

After the government formed the Coordinating Centre for Southern Border Provinces, it wanted to nominate Sirichai as secretary-general of the centre before consulting with Prayuth.

Last month the Army made a counter proposal via the Defence Council that Army deputy chief, Gen Dapong Ratanasuwan, should get the job in lieu of Sirichai.

In a face-saving move, the government instructed the Council of State to vet legal technicalities in connection with the centre before naming its secretary-general.

This year’s key appointments are: First Army Region commander, Lt-General Udomdej Sitabutr, is slated for elevation to four-star general, becoming Army Chief of Staff to replace Sirichai. Udomdej’s successor is Maj-General Paiboon Kumchaya, an ally of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra before and after the 2006 coup.

Maj-General Varit Rojanapakdi, injured in the crowd control operation in 2010, will become Army assistant chief of staff.

Two commanders of elite units, Maj General Pisit Sithisan of the First Infantry Division and Maj General Panuwat Nakwong, will both become deputy commanders of the First Army Region.

In the Ministry, General Thanongsak Apirakyothin, handpicked by Sukampol, will become permanent-secretary after Sathien’s retirement this month. His two deputies are General ML Prasopchai Kasemsant and General Nipat Thonglek.

Before his promotion, Prasopchai played a vital role in advising Sukampol on the conscription records of Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Nipat was instrumental in resolving the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

At the Supreme Command, Chief of Joint Staff General Worapong Sanganet is slated to be deputy supreme commander.

In the Navy, Admiral Damrongsak Haochareon is to become the deputy commander-in-chief. For the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong will replace Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong on his retirement.

Pending royal endorsement, the military rotations will take effect on October 1.

In a related development, Sathien has petitioned the Administrative Court to intervene on the military reshuffle list. He contends that Sukampol has failed to abide by prescribed procedures on the military rotations. Reacting to ongoing litigation, Prayuth said there was still time to complete the new line-up before the October 1 deadline if the court decides the list must be amended.