BANGKOK, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed the appointment of new commanders of the armed forces in the latest military reshuffle, local media said.
The reshuffle, which involved 935 senior officers with ranks equivalent to colonel and upward, was published in the Royal Gazette on Saturday and will take effect on Oct. 1.
Gen. Apirat Kongsompong will take the lead as the new army chief and will retain his positions as secretary to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and commander of its peace-keeping forces.
Gen. Apirat was previously the deputy army chief, handling logistics, ordnance and procurement under the Ministry of Defense.
Gen. Pornpipat Benyasri, chief of staff at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, becomes its commander.
At the Royal Thai Navy, deputy commander Adm Luechai Ruddit will become its commander.
At the Royal Thai Air Force, assistant commander ACM Chaiyapruk Ditsayasarin was promoted to commander.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha said the new commanders of the armed forces will take oath after Oct. 1.
These commanders will work under the command of the NCPO, supposedly the last group of members before the general election expected to take place between Feb. 24 and May 5 next year.