The Defense Council will finalize the last round of military appointments on 20 Aug before submitting the list to the Prime Minister for royal endorsement. It is expected that Sarun will be appointed Permanent Secretary of Defense, while Chakrit will be promoted to Commander of the 4th Army Region to address the southern conflict.
On 17 Aug 2026, reporters reported that the Defense Council will hold a meeting on 20 Aug chaired by Defense Minister Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, with commanders of the armed forces attending. Before the meeting, the Board of Defense—which reviews general officer transfers—is expected to discuss appointments and transfers of general officers to finalize the last round of military appointments. The finalized list will then be sent to the Registrar General's office for verification before being forwarded to the Prime Minister on 28 Aug for royal endorsement.
A key position of interest is the Permanent Secretary of Defense, which is expected to be filled by General Sarun Petchanont, the current Deputy Permanent Secretary of Defense (Class 26).
For the position of Navy Commander, there are three main candidates: Admiral Nares Wongtrakul, Assistant Navy Commander (Class 26); Admiral Thadawut Tatphithakkul, Navy Chief of Staff (Class 27); and Admiral Korawit Chayarotee, Commander of the Fleet (Class 26).
In the Thai armed forces, it is expected that General Natthapong Praokaew, Deputy Chief of Staff (Class 26) and Secretary of the Government's Special Representative Committee, will be promoted to Chief of Staff. Meanwhile, the current Chief of Staff, General Chidchanok Nuchchaya (Class 26), is expected to be promoted to Deputy Supreme Commander.
In the army's top leadership, known as the 'Five Tigers,' some changes are planned. For example, General Narongrit Kamphira, Assistant Army Commander (Class 26), is expected to be promoted to Deputy Army Commander, positioning him to compete for Army Commander in 2027. The current Army Commander, General Phana Klaewplodtook, is under consideration with names to be discussed by the Defense Board.
Additionally, names under review include General Amarit Boonsuya (Class 27), Assistant Army Commander; General Chaiphruek Duangprapat, Army Chief of Staff (Class 26); General Worayos Luangsuwan, Commander of the 1st Army Region (Class 28); Lieutenant General Sarawut Chaisit, Deputy Army Chief of Staff (Class 28); and Lieutenant General Theeranan Nantkhwang, Army Intelligence Chief (Class 26), as some reshuffling is necessary.
Regarding the Commander of the 4th Army Region, it is expected that General Norathip Phoinok (Class 26) will be promoted to General rank, while Major General Chakrit Ucharattan, Deputy Commander of the 4th Army Region (Special Operations) (Class 28), will be promoted to replace him.
In the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Praphas Sonjaidee, Assistant Air Force Commander, is retiring. It is expected he will take a significant position in the Ministry of Defense, serving as Director of the Joint Information Center on Thai-Cambodian Situations (JIC). Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal Rawin Thanomsingh, Commander of the Air Operations Control Command (Class 26), is expected to succeed him. Recently, he piloted an F-16 to escort the Prime Minister’s plane during a visit to Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.