The annual military reshuffle is back in the spotlight, with leaders of the three armed forces and the chief of the Thai defence forces going into mandatory retirement at the end of September.
This year’s shake-up, however, will not be forwarded to the cabinet for approval.
Instead, the appointment of military top brass will be considered under the 2008 Defence Ministry Administration Act in which a seven-member panel chaired by Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will review the reshuffle list and submit it to the prime minister to be sent for royal approval.
Gen Prayut has reportedly asked the outgoing military leaders to hand in the list by the middle of this month so it can be finalised the same week.
It is widely speculated that Gen Prayut, who announced in early July his decision to wash his hands of politics after nine years in…
