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BANGKOK, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Assistant Army Commander Chalermchai Sittisart has been promoted to army chief, succeeding Thirachai Nakwanich when he retires at the end of this month.
His appointment was royally endorsed by the king and the list announcing the closely watched annual military reshuffle was published in the Royal Gazette on Friday.
Chalermchai does not belong to the Burapha Payak (Eastern Tigers) military faction that has dominated the army for more than a decade and includes the current prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his allies.
The choice of the army leader, which is the most influential position in the armed forces, came down to a two-horse race between Chalermchai and Army Chief-of-Staff Pisit Sithisan, according to Bangkok Post.
With Chalermchai taking the top job, Pisit will become a deputy army chief on Oct 1. Enditem
