Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon hinted on Friday that the new National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general will come from the military.
Asked whether NSC officials would resent having a boss from the armed forces, Gen Prawit drew attention to the fact that the incumbent secretary-general, Gen Thawip Netniyom, is also a soldier.
Three people are reportedly vying for the top job: Gen Wanlop Raksanoh, director of the Defence Ministry's Office of Policy and Planning; Lt Gen Thanakiat Chobcheunchom, chief of the Armed Forces Security Center; and Somkiat Sriprasert, deputy secretary-general of the NSC.
Meanwhile, assistant army chief Theppong Thippayachan is tipped to become the new permanent secretary for defence.
He comes from a military clique known by the nickname Burapha Phayak (Tigers of the East) that is attached to the Prachin Buri-based 2nd Infantry Division of the Queen's Guard.
Gen Prawit is a member of the same clique, as are Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda.
Yet his ascension to the post is not a foregone conclusion, with army chief-of-staff Sasin Thongpakdee also said to be in the running.
The looming appointments are part of a broader reshuffle of ministry officials and senior military posts. A military source said they could be wrapped up by next month at the request of Gen Prayut.