The National Security Council meeting approved General Chaipruk Duangprapat as the new Secretary-General of the National Security Council, replacing Chatichai. Today’s meeting also addressed the ongoing unrest in the southern border provinces.
At 10:00 a.m. on 28 August 2026, at the Vichitrawatkan Meeting Room, 3rd floor, National Security Council, Government House, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnveerakul chaired the 6/2569 National Security Council meeting. Attendees included Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt, Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, Minister of Justice Police Lieutenant General Rutthapon Naowarat, Permanent Secretary of Defense General Tharapong Malakham, Commander of Provincial Police Region 9 Police Lieutenant General Piyawat Chalermsri, National Intelligence Agency Director Thanat Suwannanon, and other relevant agencies.
Upon the Prime Minister’s arrival, reporters asked whether the National Security Council meeting would immediately approve the new Secretary-General. The Prime Minister did not respond verbally but nodded before proceeding to the meeting.
Today’s agenda was expected to propose General Chaipruk Duangprapat, Chief of Army Staff, as the new Secretary-General of the National Security Council, replacing Chatichai Bangchuad. This change follows the upcoming retirement of Yupa Taweewattanakitboworn, the current Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office, on 30 September, and the Cabinet’s decision on 25 August to transfer Chatichai to serve as Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Following the National Security Council’s approval of the new Secretary-General, the name will be submitted to the Cabinet for formal endorsement. Meanwhile, the Council will also propose a candidate for the Deputy Secretary-General position, expected to be Ratchakorn Napapornpipat, the current Deputy Secretary-General.
Reports indicate that today’s meeting also discussed the security situation in the southern border provinces, where unrest continues to occur frequently. The Council may consider adjusting the peace dialogue format due to Malaysia’s delay in nominating a facilitator for the talks.
Additional reporting confirms that the National Security Council approved General Chaipruk Duangprapat, Chief of Army Staff, as the new Secretary-General of the National Security Council.