The Ministry of Defense has approved 329 students for the 69th National Defense Course (วปอ.) without any Cambodian military officers, opening the door for allied countries, including China and Myanmar, to participate. Attention is drawn to officers Inthanon, Thepphitak, and Benjaphon, along with rising stars from the Air Force.
On 15 Aug 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that the Ministry of Defense approved the list of 329 students for the 69th National Defense Course for the 2026-2027 academic year. The order, Ministry of Defense Special Order No. 266/69, was signed by Permanent Secretary of Defense General Tharapong Malakam following Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's approval, as proposed by the Defense Minister in his role as chairman of the National Defense Course Council. The course is scheduled to begin in October 2026.
Among the 329 students are 109 officers from the three armed forces, 13 police officers, and 5 foreign military officers from Indonesia, China, Myanmar, Malaysia, and India. Notably, there are no Cambodian military officers participating, as Cambodia has not sent any since 2025. The rotation allows officers from allied countries to attend the course, with Myanmar joining this year.
The Army officers attending the 69th National Defense Course include several senior generals and colonels on command career paths, such as Major General Inthanon Rattanakarn, Deputy Commander of the Special Warfare Command; Major General Thepphitak Nimit, Deputy Commander of the 1st Army Area; and Major General Benjaphon Detchiwong Na Ayudhya, Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, King's Guard, who is considered a potential future Deputy Commander of the 1st Army Area. Others include Major General Thit-rat Sombatsiri, Army Secretary; Colonel Kamthorn Kerdthammai, Deputy Commander of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division; and Major General Sitthichak Romphosi, Commander of the 11th Military Circle.
In the Navy, Rear Admiral Ratchada Suengthaworn serves as Chief of Staff to the Navy Commander, and Commander Jirapong Apichatwong is the Navy Attaché at the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Regarding the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sek San Kantha, Commander-in-Chief, has sent promising young officers to study in the 69th National Defense Course to enhance their strategic and high-level administrative skills. Notable names include Air Commodore Krisana Piamsri, former Commander of Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima; Commander Puttapong Phonchewin, former Commander of Wing 7 in Surat Thani; Commander Serewatt Klaiput, former Commander of Wing 46 in Phitsanulok; and Commander Prathorn Jinawat, former Commander of Wing 41 in Chiang Mai, all of whom have commanded important Air Force units.