Cabinet transfers NSC chief and appoints new intelligence director

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the appointment of National Security Council secretary-general Chatchai Bangchuad as permanent secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Government House sources said.

Chatchai will replace Yupa Taweewattanakitborworn, who is due to retire from the civil service on September 30.

He was appointed NSC secretary-general in 2024 and has one year of government service remaining before his retirement in 2027.

The Cabinet also appointed Kitiphon Ruensamrit, deputy director of the National Intelligence Agency, as the agency’s new director.

He will succeed Thanat Suwannanon, who is also scheduled to retire on September 30. Despite leaving the civil service, Thanat will continue serving as head of Thailand’s peace dialogue panel for the southern border provinces.

Army chief of staff tipped for NSC post

Government House sources said Gen Chaiyapruek Duangprapat, chief of staff of the Royal Thai Army, was expected to become the new NSC secretary-general.

His prospective appointment is intended to strengthen efforts to address national-security issues, including the situation in Thailand’s three southern border provinces.

The sources said Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had approached Chaiyapruek about taking the post through Royal Thai Army commander-in-chief Gen Pana Claewplodtook.

Chaiyapruek reportedly agreed to the proposed transfer and expressed his willingness to accept the position.

He was said to have indicated that he was not concerned about the move because he was prepared to serve the country in any position, and that transferring to another agency would not present a problem.