“Big Go” organized a memorable evening upon retiring on 30 September, performing the song “Smile of a Fighter” to encourage those who were both successful and disappointed by recent appointments.
At 19:00 on 16 September 2026, at the Ronanapagas Building, Air Force Aviation Park, close friends and colleagues of Air Chief Marshal Praphas Sonjaidee, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, gathered to hold a memorable evening and transition event titled “Borax The next chapter.” “Borax” is Air Chief Marshal Praphas’s pilot call sign. After 30 September, he will retire from his position as Assistant Commander-in-Chief due to reaching the mandatory retirement age.
Friends from various sectors, subordinates, and spokesperson teams from the Joint Information Center (JIC) for Thai-Cambodian border affairs attended as witnesses, including Major General Winthai Suwaree, Army spokesperson; Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiphan, Navy spokesperson; and Ms. Martee Nalita Andamo, Deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Although Air Chief Marshal Praphas is retiring, he has been assigned to continue as Director of the JIC.
The event atmosphere featured a photo booth exhibition displaying his biography from childhood through his military career until retirement. A video clip titled “The Journey” was also screened, narrating the life story of “Big Go.”
He then joined in singing “Smile of a Fighter” to comfort juniors disappointed by the latest appointments, encouraging them by saying it is normal to have both successes and setbacks but to keep their spirits up and continue performing their duties. He also sang “Faith” to send encouragement to everyone still carrying out their responsibilities.
