ACM Alongkorn Wannarot has been nominated to take over as commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force from ACM Napadej Dhupatemiya, who retires at the end of September, in changes made to the air force annual reshuffle list, informed sources said.
ACM Alongkorn is currently assistant commander of the RTAF.
The sources said the changes were made at a meeting on Aug 30 of the Defence Council chaired by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the defence minister.
The meeting reviewed the prepared military reshuffle lists, which had not yet been forwarded to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, the acting prime minister, for consideration.
Gen Prayut asked the outgoing air force chief about the candidates nominated to replace him.
ACM Napadej said there were three candidates for the top job. They were ACM Tanasak Metanan, the deputy air force chief, ACM Alongkorn Wannarot, the assistant air force chief, and ACM Kongsak Chanthornsopa, commander of the Directorate of Air Operations Control.
All were Class 22 graduates of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS). ACM Tanasak had two years before retirement and the two others only one year.
According to the sources, Gen Prayut asked ACM Napadej about the personal behaviour of the three men and suggested that the one with the least problems or conflict with anyone should be the choice.
ACM Alongkorn was their final choice, even though he had never been in command of a combat unit, never seved as a military attache and was not a fighter pilot. However, he was an experienced L-39 and T- Bird flyer. He was also a former air force comptroller.
He was supported by former air force chief ACM Airbul Suthiwan in becoming assistant air force chief. Both men were from the office of the comptroller.
After ACM Alongkorn was nominated for the post of air force commander, more changes were made to the reshuffle list - with assistant air force chief ACM Chanon Mungthanya to be deputy air force chief; air force special adviser ACM Pongsawat Chanthasan and air force chief-of-staff ACM Panpakdi Pattanakul to be assistant air force chiefs; and air force special adviser ACM Narong Intachart to be air force chief-of-staff.
ACM Tanasak, who will miss out on the top job, is to be deputy permanent secretary for defence.