Military reshuffle will finish this week
New senior armed forces postings should be finalised by the end on the week, caretaker Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura said on Tuesday, dismissing claims of political interference.
"I am drawing up the rotation list and working closely with my permanent secretary and the supreme commander to screen out duplicate candidates for any given position," he said. He was scrutinising candidates recommended by permanent secretary General Sirichai Thanyasiri and Supreme Commander General Ruengroj Mahasaranont. He would not revise assignment proposals made by the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, ruling out speculation Maj General Prin Suwanthat might be promoted to commander of the First Army Corps. He did not say, however, whether caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra would intervene on Prin's behalf before the list was forwarded for Royal sanction. Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin earlier recommended Prin become deputy commander of the First Army Area. Prin is presently First Infantry Division commander and seen as a loyal Thaksin ally. Following last Thursday's alleged assassination plot, Prin's fellow officers from PreCadet Class 10 lobbied for former classmate Thaksin to reassign Prin to the First Army Corps. Should Prin take command of the crack outfit, he would be in a position to exert military influence on Thaksin's behalf. The Nation
|
