The man previously tipped to replace retiring air force chief ACM Maanat Wongwat has now ruled out of contention, according to a senior source in the air force.
ACM Airbull Suttiwan was earlier reported to have been nominated by ACM Maanat to succeed him when he retires next month and the nomination approved by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is also defence minister.
The source said the change happened at the weekend, following a protest by other candidates for the job and former air force officers.
According to the source, a former air force chief called Gen Prayut on the telephone, voicing disapproval of ACM Airbull's nomination and saying there were other officers better suited.
Moreover, he said, the nomination of ACM Airbull from "a special signal" was damaging.
After receiving the call, Gen Prayut again consulted ACM Maanat and asked him to suggest someone else.
The source said the officers likely to be considered were ACM Saritpong Wattanawarangkul, chief of general staff for the air force chief; ACM Suthipan Taithong, the air force chief-of-staff; and ACM Tharin Punnasri, an assistant air force chief.
The source added that ACM Suthipan appeared to be the man receiving most support from the PM, having worked closely with him before.
The Defence Council was scheduled to meet yesterday, with Gen Prayut sitting as chairman, to finalise the military reshuffle.
The meeting was also due to be attended by the deputy defence minister, the defence permanent secretary, the supreme commander of the armed forces and commanders-in-chief of the army, navy and air force.
The air force was expected to later submit its altered reshuffle list to Gen Prayut for approval and the finalised reshuffle lists forwarded to His Majesty the King later this week.
Of the lists which have been finalised, Gen Chalermpol Srisawat, the armed forces chief of staff, would move to supreme commander; Gen Narongphan Jitkaewtae, an assistant army chief, would become army chief; and ACM Chatchai Srivorakhan, an assistant navy chief, would move up to navy chief.
Saritpong: Likely contender
Suthipan: Support from premier
Tharin: Also in the running