Thawil Pliensri is expected to be reinstated as secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC) in one month, Prime Minister's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva said on Tuesday.
Mr Suranand said the procedure was already underway.
He would also look into the law and regulations concerning welfare benefits for Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabut, who has served as NSC chief from October 2012.
Opinions would be sought from the secretary-general of the Civil Service Committee (CSC), the secretary-general of the Council of State, and the permanent secretary of the Prime Minister's Office regarding the order to be issued transferring Lt Gen Paradorn to replace Mr Thawil as PM's adviser, and to reinstate Mr Thawil as NSC chief.
Next week, the cabinet would be asked to revoke a 2011 cabinet resolution to transfer Mr Thawil to the position of PM's adviser. After that the prime minister's order for Mr Thawil and Lt Gen Paradorn to swap positions would be forwarded to the Election Commission (EC) for endorsement.
After the EC's endorsement, the order would be returned to the Cabinet Secretariat, which would then forward it to His Majesty the King for a royal command to officially reinstate Mr Thawil.
Mr Suranand believed the whole process would take about one month to comple.
Asked whether there would be any problems concerning Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree, who held the top NSC post before before Lt Gen Paradorn, Mr Suranand said he had consulted the CSC secretary-general over this matter. The CSC secretary-general told him there should be no problems since Pol Gen Wichean has retired as transport permanent secretary, Mr Suranand said.