A royal decree was issued for the mid-year transfer of 319 military officers. "Commander Pu" consolidates authority by promoting "Grandpa Prem's nephew," a Class 26 peer, to be the Fourth Army Corps Commander, with hopes of advancing to Fourth Army Region Commander. Meanwhile, "General Golf" is reassigned as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, and "Deputy Aem" moves up to become the First Army Corps Commander. Force adjustments are made in the Lower Northeast to address Cambodian border concerns.
At 11:30 a.m. on 13 Mar 2026 GMT+7, the website Royal Gazette published a Prime Minister's Office announcement stating that a royal decree has been graciously granted for the appointment of 319 military officers. Effective from 1 Apr 2026 GMT+7, announced on 13 Mar 2026 GMT+7, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as the royal decree's official recipient.
According to reports, the mid-year 2026 military officer transfers mostly accommodate officers retiring at year-end across the services. The highlight is the Army, where Commander-in-Chief Gen. Pana Klaewplodtuk has reorganized key combat and support units in preparation for the year-end reshuffle.
Maj. Gen. Anusorn Ourai, Fourth Army Corps Commander, is appointed Special Expert of the Army; Maj. Gen. Watcharin Muthasin (Class 26), Commander of the Territorial Defense Command, becomes Special Expert of the Army; Maj. Gen. Sarawut Chaisit (Class 28), First Army Corps Commander, moves up to Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army; Maj. Gen. Kittiwat Jamjirarak (Class 28), Deputy Director of Army Civil Affairs, is promoted to Director of the Army Civil Affairs; "Deputy Aem" Maj. Gen. Natdet Chantrangsu (Class 28), Deputy First Army Region Commander, becomes First Army Corps Commander; "Deputy Tor" Maj. Gen. Niti Tinsulanonda (Class 26), Deputy Fourth Army Region Commander, is appointed Fourth Army Corps Commander. He is the nephew of Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, former Privy Council President, and is anticipated to become Fourth Army Region Commander this October. Maj. Gen. Narudol Sukma (Class 26), Deputy Commander of the Territorial Defense Command, advances to Commander of the Territorial Defense Command.
Maj. Gen. Winthai Suwaree (Class 30), Army Secretary, is promoted to Deputy Director of Army Civil Affairs; Maj. Gen. Sarun Rodboontham (Class 30), Commander of the 2nd Cavalry Division, is appointed Deputy Commander of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy; Maj. Gen. Thepphit Nimitt (Class 31) returns as Deputy First Army Region Commander; "Big Pop" Maj. Gen. Sompop Pharavej, Commander of the 6th Infantry Division, is promoted to Deputy Second Army Region Commander; Maj. Gen. Maitri Chupricha, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, becomes Deputy Fourth Army Region Commander; Maj. Gen. Somkid Blunyachot, Chief of Staff of the Fourth Army Region, is promoted to Commander of Military Circle 41; Col. Thitrat Sombatsiri is appointed Army Secretary.
Col. Chinsorn Ruansuk, a close aide to "Big Pom" Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, is promoted to Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Regiment, overseeing forces in the capital; Col. Boonserm Boonbumrung is appointed Commander of the 6th Infantry Division, commanding the Suranaree forces; Col. Prasan Henprasert becomes Commander of the 4th Infantry Division; Col. Prasert Jaikla is appointed Commander of Military Circle 14; Col. Akkasit Pakirata is appointed Commander of Military Circle 25.
At the same time, the Prime Minister's Office also published a royal decree on the promotion of military officers to general ranks, stating that a royal decree graciously confers general officer ranks in the April 2026 term to 256 commissioned officers under the Ministry of Defence who have served honorably, benefiting the government. Effective from 1 Apr 2026 GMT+7, announced on 13 Mar 2026 GMT+7, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as the decree's recipient.