Sonthi Boonyarattaklin

NEW ARMY CHIEF; Sonthi in pole position to be commander
11 August 2005
Bangkok Post


Army assistant commander Gen Sonthi Boonyarattaklin has now emerged as the strongest contender to be made the new army commander after receiving solid backing from Defence Minister Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya, informed military sources said.

Gen Thammarak, the sources said, would not make any change to army reshuffle lists proposed by outgoing army commander Gen Pravit Wongsuwan, who chose Gen Sonthi, a Muslim and former chief of the special warfare command.

Gen Panlop Pinmanee, chief adviser to the defence minister, also voiced support for Gen Sonthi saying that an army officer picked to command the army must be an officer with battlefield experience who could help tackle the unrest in the deep South.

Army assistant commander Gen Lertrat Rattanavanich, an engineering officer, had been widely regarded as another strong contender for the top army post since he was known to have support from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Sources said a number of veteran military officers had suggested to the prime minister that he back professional soldiers with battlefield experience and a broad understanding of military operations to command the army.

"Unrest in the far South still remains a big problem that could escalate if the new army chief is not properly selected," the sources said.

Outgoing Supreme Commander Gen Chaisit Shinawatra has also asked the defence minister to consider two new contenders for the supreme command.

They are supreme command deputy commander Gen Sirichai Tunyasiri, an ordnance officer, and supreme command chief-of-staff Gen Boonsang Nieampradit, a military graduate from the US West Point military academy.

Gen Chaisit reportedly nominated Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranon, the supreme command advisory chairman, to be the new supreme commander.

The sources said the choice of who would be the new supreme commander had not been finalised.