The commander of the 1st Division, King's Guard - dubbed the "coup division" - handed over command to his successor on Thursday, and both of them confirmed the national interest is their first priority.
Maj Gen Apirat Khongsompong, front, inspects 1st Division troops, followed by his his successor, Maj Gen Pongsawasdi Phannajit, at the handover ceremony at the 1st Division, King's Guard, barracks in Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo by Wassana Nanuam)
Maj Gen Apirat Khongsompong relinquished command to Maj Gen Pongsawasdi Phannajit at the 1st Division, King's Guard, barracks in Dusit district of Bangkok.
The were both members of Class 20 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.
Maj Gen Apirat has been promoted to deputy commander of the 1st Army and becomes a candidate for 1st Army commander in the future.
Maj Gen Apirat took over the 1st Division, King's Guard, in April this year during the political turbulence.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was at that time the army chief and placed Maj Gen Apirat in direct command of the military force that backed the coup on May 22.
After the succession ceremony, Maj Gen Apirat told reporters, "See you later. See you whenever Gen Prayut wants."
Five battalions of the division and chiefs of regiments and battalions under the division's direct command were present at the handover ceremony.
Maj Gen Apirat thanked the forces for helping solve national crises.
In peaceful times, the forces were his teachers, who gave him advice, and in crises they were companions who would protect one another with their lives, Maj Gen Apirat said.
Maj Gen Pongsawasdi, the new commander of the 1st Division, King's Guard, said he was a professional soldier and loyal to the division, the 1st Army, the Royal Thai Army and the nation.
The 1st Division, King's Guard, is an important force within the 1st Army. It is dubbed the "coup division" and incorporates infantry, cavalry and artillery forces. Its commander must earn great trust from the RTA commander-in-chief because he controls "coup personnel".