By Bernama
Bangkok : Army chief General Anupong Paochinda dismissed speculation that former military classmates of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would be promoted in the mid-year realignment of army officers, Thailand News Agency (TNA) reported Thursday.
Anupong explained that military promotions do not depend on whether or not any officers belonged to the Pre-Cadet Class 10 from which Thaksin and the army chief himself had graduated.
Only a few army officers will be transferred or promoted in the mid-year reshuffle scheduled to take place next month, he noted, adding that those currently holding the top five commander posts will remain unchanged.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, concurrently defence minister, met with navy chief Adm. Sathiraphan Keyanond, air force chief ACM Chalit Pukbhasuk, supreme commander Gen. Boonsang Niampradit, defence permanent secretary Gen. Winai Phatthiyakul and Anupong to discuss the mid-year military reshuffles which only involved regimental- and battalion-level officers.
The annual reshuffles of division- and regional-level officers as well as the top five commanders are normally scheduled for August or September.
The mid-year reshuffle lists were already handed to Samak as defence minister.