The Cabinet has approved the transfer of National Security Council (NSC) Secretary General Chatchai Bangchuad to the position of permanent secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office from October 1.
He will replace Yupha Taweewattanakitborvon, who is scheduled to retire at the end of September.
An informed government source said that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has approached Gen Chaiyapruek Duangprapat, the army chief of staff, through Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk, about succeeding Chatchai as the new NSC chief.
The source also said that Gen Chaiyapruek was pleased to accept the offer, claiming that he is ready to accept any post which gives him the opportunity to serve the country.
Chatchai was appointed NSC chief in 2024 and has one year left in government service before his mandatory retirement.
The Cabinet also approved the promotion of Kittiphon Ruensamrith today. He is currently deputy director of the National Intelligence Agency and will become its director on October 1. He will succeed Thanat Suwannanon, who is due to retire at the end of September.
Kittiphon graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Sukhothai Thammathirat University and an M.A. in Social Science from Kasetsart University.
He has previously served as the head of the NIA’s anti-terrorism unit and as the counsellor at the Thai embassy in Beijing.
