The long-simmering rift between new army chief Theerachai Nakvanich and his predecessor Gen Udomdej Sitabutr has flared up now Gen Theerachai has taken the reins, army sources say.
Barely a week since taking over the army chief post last Tuesday, Gen Theerachai has revoked a series of orders that Gen Udomdej gave before he retired last week.
Chief among these is the order Gen Udomdej signed last Tuesday appointing Col Kachachart Boondee, his close aide, as deputy commander of the 11th Circle Army only a day before his Sept 30 retirement.
The order was made apparently out of fear that Col Kachachart, a former chief of the 1st Artillery Battery, Queen's Guard, would be moved to an unfavourable position under Gen Theerachai.
When Gen Udomdej Sitabutr was army chief, last week, his decorated wall, sitting behind the King Rama V statue in front of the Kittikachorn conference hall at the Royal Thai Army's headquarters was prominent. The moment that he retired and Gen Theerachai Nakvanich replaced him, the wall was razed. (Photos by Wassana Nanuam)
The transfer, however, was met with criticism since traditionally the appointments of high-ranking army officers from lieutenant colonel upwards, are left to the incoming army commander.
Gen Theerachai has since reportedly suspended Gen Udomdej's appointment of Col Kachachart, according to the sources.
The sources said the men have long had a personality conflict though they were classmates in Class 14 at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.
Gen Theerachai was reportedly backed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his deputy Gen Prawit Wongsuwon for the top army post. Gen Udomdej was said to prefer Gen Preecha Chan-o-cha, the younger brother of the prime minister, for the position, but had to follow the orders of the two military strongmen.
Gen Theerachai has also been appointed as the new secretary-general of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), replacing Gen Udomdej, though the latter retains his seat on the council and his cabinet post of deputy defence minister.
Sources said the new NCPO secretary-general had ordered the restructuring of the council to ensure it works more quickly, particularly the NCPO's peace and order maintaining force, which he felt operated too slowly under his predecessor.
Gen Theerachai also ordered the removal of a wall behind the King Rama V statue in front of the Kittikachorn conference hall at the Royal Thai Army's headquarters.
Gen Udomdej had earlier ordered construction of the wall to block what he thought was an unpleasant view of materials left on the ground floor of the hall. After the wall was demolished, the area was decorated with plants instead.
The compound's front fountain, built during the tenure of Gen Udomdej, has now been shut by Gen Theerachai.
The front plaza, which once served as a marching area under the reign of Gen Udomdej, has now been given the green light by Gen Theerachai to be tuned into a car park.
Gen Theerachai also instructed army-run TV Channel 5 to suspend advertisements calling for donations to build Ratchapak Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district.
The advertisement was launched in Gen Udomdej's time.
Additionally, Gen Theerachai has also suspended a camouflage outfit design for soldiers ordered by his predecessor, the sources said, adding the new army chief said the design is not smart enough.
Gen Prawit tried to play down Monday's media speculation over a rift between Gen Udomdej and his successor.
"There is nothing to be concerned about," he said. "The two men can talk."
Gen Prawit was speaking at Government House after a meeting of a steering committee dealing with the southern unrest, which Gen Udomdej and Gen Theerachai both attended.