A committee overseeing the annual military reshuffle has finalised the list of candidates in this year's shake-up, with ACM Napadej Dhuphtemiya nominated as the new air force chief, a source close to the matter said.
Gen Worakiat Rattananont, Adm Somprasong Nilsamai and ACM Napadej Dhuphtemiya
Chaired by Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the panel included deputy defence minister Chaichan Changmongkol and the military top brass -- the permanent secretary for defence, the defence forces chief as well as the army, navy and air force commanders.
It was said that outgoing air force chief, Airbull Suttiwan, backed the nomination of ACM Napadej -- who is currently serving as his chief advisor -- as his successor.
ACM Napadej, the son of the late air force commander ACM Praphan, is due to retire next year.
According to the source, navy commander Adm Chartchai Sriworakhan nominated navy chief-of-staff Adm Thirakul Kanchana, as his successor but backed down when Gen Prayut vouched for Adm Somprasong Nilsamai, who is currently deputy permanent secretary, for the navy top job.
Adm Somprasong's mandatory retirement is in September next year.
His transfer back to the navy was reportedly intended to make way for the appointment of army chief-of-staff Gen Worakiat Rattananont as defence permanent secretary to succeed the outgoing Gen Nat Intaracharoen.
In addition to approving the appointment of Adm Thirakul as deputy navy chief, the panel pushed chief of Royal Thai Fleet Adm Suthinan Samanarak as the assistant navy chief and navy's deputy chief-of-staff Vice Adm Thaloengsak Srisawat as the navy's chief-of-staff.
The list is expected to be forwarded for royal endorsement next week.
Last week, the National Security Council (NSC) appointed Gen Supot Malaniyom, currently the Royal Thai Armed Forces' chief-of-staff, as the NSC's new secretary-general.
Gen Supot will succeed Gen Natthapol Nakpanich, who will retire at the end of September.