The reshuffle of top military officers late last year looks to have had a lot to do with the future power of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha rather than just fixing alleged prejudice in military appointments.
Gen Prayut made the decisions himself which saw him appear to adopt a different viewpoint to that of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, the phi yai, or the eldest brother, in the Burapha Phayak military clique.
In September last year, Gen Prayut chose to appoint Gen Chalermchai Sittisat as army chief and Lt Gen Apirat Kongsompong as 1st Army commander.
The two officers do not come from Burapha Phayak (Tigers of the East), the nickname of the military clique attached to the Prachin Buri-based 2nd Infantry Division, the Queen's Guard.
Both Gen Prayut and Gen Prawit belong to the same powerful clique, whose members have held key military positions for many years. Gen Prayut's decision was therefore viewed as a surprise especially to Gen Prawit, who it seems preferred that his two close aides in the Tigers -- Gen Phisit Sitthisarn and Lt Gen Kukiat Sinakha -- became the new army chief and 1st Army commander respectively.
According to military observers, Gen Prayut's difference of opinion with his phi yai goes beyond the issue of who holds real power in putting favoured military personnel into top posts, particularly those at the core of the army and the heart of the coup d'etat.
Gen Prayut's choices can be -- at first glance -- viewed as fair promotions, because they allow officers from other military cliques to rise to top posts.
A more discerning look could see the appointments in relation to Gen Prayut's authority during the lead-up to general election and even the subsequent five-year transition period to full democracy.
Gen Chalermchai comes from the special warfare unit and is attached to the Si Sao Thewes military power clique, led by Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda and whose key members also include former prime minister Gen Surayud Chulanont.
The appointment of Gen Chalermchai as army chief quells, to some extent, criticism that Burapha Phayak members have dominated key military posts since the 2006 coup, led by Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin.
Gen Anupong Paojinda led the army for the first two years after the 2006 coup. His successors were Gen Prayut (four years), Gen Udomdej Sitabutr (one year) and Gen Thirachai Nakwanich (one year) respectively.
Gen Chalermchai's promotion could therefore be seen as an attempt at "power sharing" with senior officers from groups different to Gen Prayut's, observers say.
More importantly, the move could strengthen ties between the National Council for Peace and Order, headed by Gen Prayut, and the Si Sao Thewes camp led by Gen Prem.
Closer ties between the two since then seemed evident during Gen Prayut's visit to Gen Prem's residence last week to give the statesman New Year blessings. Gen Prem gave his backing to the prime minster, encouraging him to work on and by saying he knew Gen Prayut was tired but "the more he becomes tired, the more successful he becomes and the happier people are".
Uniting the two cliques is a good strategic move as they may need to join hands to cope with political situations after the general election, observers said.
A recent comment by Gen Chalermchai in which he told critics to forget any possibility of a new coup being staged suggested to observers that the army chief was backing the prime minister.
"I'm not his [Gen Prayut's] person and we've worked on different military career paths," Gen Chalermchai said.
"But I'm a professional soldier who strictly follows the chain of command. Don't think there will be a problem."
The appointment of Lt Gen Apirat as 1st Army chief was also seen as a power sharing move although he is viewed as having close connections with Gen Prayut.
Lt Gen Apirat belongs to the Wong Thewan military clique which refers to a group of soldiers attached to the 1st Division, the King's Guard. Lt Gen Apirat started his career in the 11th Infantry Regiment, which is under the 1st Division.
The appointment sees Lt Gen Apirat become 1st Army chief following a 10-year period during which officers from Burapha Phayak were mostly promoted to the post.
He is expected to succeed Gen Chalermchai late next year and his term will expire in 2020, which is still during the five-year transition period. This would ensure Gen Prayut has the support of several military cliques.
If Gen Prayut needs to serve the nation longer, worries about the military should not be of much concern as Lt Gen Apirat's successors are reportedly identified. They are believed to be from Burapha Phayak again and many are close associates of Gen Prayut.