Annual military reshuffle back

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The annual military reshuffle is back in the spotlight, with leaders of the three armed forces and the chief of the Thai defence forces going into mandatory retirement at the end of September.

This year’s shake-up, however, will not be forwarded to the cabinet for approval.

Instead, the appointment of military top brass will be considered under the 2008 Defence Ministry Administration Act in which a seven-member panel chaired by Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will review the reshuffle list and submit it to the prime minister to be sent for royal approval.

Gen Prayut has reportedly asked the outgoing military leaders to hand in the list by the middle of this month so it can be finalised the same week.

It is widely speculated that Gen Prayut, who announced in early July his decision to wash his hands of politics after nine years in power, will place his trusted men in the reshuffle in his final act as prime minister before a new government assumes power tentatively in late August or early September.

Gaining the most attention is the successor to army chief Narongpan Jittkaewtae.

Deputy army commander Gen Charoenchai Hintao is tipped to become the next army chief due to his seniority and close ties with Gen Prayut.

Gen Charoenchai is highly trusted by Gen Prayut as they both served together and advanced in their careers during their time at the 21st Infantry Regiment Queen’s Guard based in Chon Buri.

Widely seen as Gen Prayut’s protege, Gen Charoenchai is considered a strong favourite, especially during the political transition. Known be to quiet but decisive, the role of Gen Charoenchai, if promoted, will be closely watched at a time of political tension and uncertainty.

If chosen for the post, he will be the third red-rim soldier to take command of the army. Red-rim soldiers are those who pass an elite training programme and are given a T-shirt with a red rim to signify their completion of the programme.

A member of Class 23 at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS), Gen Charoenchai has one year remaining in service before mandatory retirement next year.

However, assistant army chief Gen Suksan Nongbualang, another contender from Class 23 with one year to go before the mandatory retirement, cannot be ruled out.

Known to be close to Deputy Prime Minister and Palang Pracharath Party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, Gen Suksan may have a shot if the PPRP joins the new government and takes control of the Defence Ministry and provided the reshuffle list is not yet forwarded for royal endorsement.

Royal Thai Armed Forces candidate

At the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF), Gen Songwit Noonphakdi, a cadet graduate from the US, is a strong favourite to succeed Gen Chalermpol Srisawat as chief of the Thai defence forces.

Gen Songwit, a member of Class 24, enrolled at the AFAPS for about a month before he transferred to the cadet school in Virginia, US.

There is a long-held tradition that an army chief must be a graduate from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy only. So, his chance of taking the top post in the army is ruled out and his transfer from the army to the RTARF in last year’s reshuffle is widely seen as a move to prepare him to take the helm at the RTARF.

Gen Songwit, who belongs in the Wong Thewan military clique, rose through the ranks at the 11th Infantry Regiment, King’s Guard, before being promoted as commander of the 1st Division and deputy commander of the First Army. He was made a full general before being shifted to the RTARF as deputy commander.

If promoted, Gen Songwit will be a second red-rim soldier and his appointment may create a tradition that the head of the RTARF has to be a part of the red-rim fraternity. He has two years in the service before mandatory retirement in 2025.

A crowded contest at the navy

At the Royal Thai Navy, three strong candidates have emerged for the navy’s top job.

Assistant navy chief Adm Suwin Jangyodsuk, navy chief-of-staff Adm Chonlathis Navanugraha and commander of the Royal Thai Fleet Adm Adung Phaniam are front-runners to succeed navy chief Choengchai Chomchoengphaet.

Adm Suwin, a younger brother of former national police chief Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk, is widely speculated to win the post due to seniority and his career path. He is also known to have close connections with the outgoing navy commander.

An ex-commander of first-class ships such as HTMS Sukhothai, HTMS Pinklao and HTMS aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet, he served as a naval attache in Washington, chief of the Bangkok naval base and commander of the Royal Thai Fleet before being named assistant navy chief.

But the fact that Adm Suwin is from Class 25 of the AFAPS may put him at a disadvantage.

Adm Chonlathis and Adm Adung are both members of Class 23 at the AFAPS and their classmates at the army and the air force are expected to take the helm this year. Speculation is rife that Class 23 will manoeuvre to get one of them at the navy appointed.

Adm Suwin and Adm Chonlathis have two more years in service before retirement while Adm Adung will retire in September next year.

Two-horse race at the air force

Within the air force ranks, air force chief-of-staff ACM Narong Inthachart and deputy air force commander ACM Chanon Mungthanya are tipped to be in line to take over at the top following the retirement of air chief ACM Alongkorn Vannarot.

While both are members of Class 23 at the AFAPS and F-16 pilots, they served in different units with ACM Narong making career advancement at Wing 1 based in Nakhon Ratchasima and ACM Chanon rising through the ranks at Wing 4 based in Nakhon Sawan.

There are whispers in the air force that ACM Narong is a strong contender because ACM Alongkorn and his predecessor ACM Napadej Dhupatemiya had an agreement.

ACM Alongkorn’s appointment as the air force commander in last year’s reshuffle came as a surprise amid rumours that he would return the favour by passing the baton to ACM Narong, who served with ACM Napadej at Wing 1.

The alleged agreement is said to have sparked discontent within the ranks and stirred up interest in other possible candidates. ACM Chanon’s name has come up.

He is the most senior among five high-ranking air force officers and is said to be backed by former air force chiefs.

His work experience — from a commander of squadron 403 and air force attache in Sweden to commander of the Directorate of Operations — makes him a good fit for the post.

He has one year to serve before mandatory retirement next year.

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Spaniard now ‘admits’ killing Colombian lover

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PUBLISHED : 6 Aug 2023 at 04:00

SURAT THANI: A Spanish chef has admitted to killing his Colombian lover and dismembering the body before dumping the pieces in a landfill on Koh Phangan and in the sea, police say.

Sancho: Initially denied the charges

Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, was taken to Koh Phangan police station on Friday for questioning over the disappearance of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, 44, a Colombian national, according to a source familiar with the investigation.

The suspect initially denied any involvement but later admitted to the act following intense questioning by police yesterday, the source said.

The suspect is a well-known chef in his home country, police said, adding he has a YouTube channel. Meanwhile, the victim operated a successful plastic surgery clinic in Monteria, Colombia.

Police found more evidence of human traces during a search of a hotel room believed to be the scene where the killing took place, Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomjit, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, said yesterday.

Forensic officers collected samples of hair, fat and tissue from the room’s drain pipes and sent them for testing in Yala, Pol Lt Gen Surapong said, adding the results are expected today.

A police examination of security videos from various sites on the island linked Mr Sancho to the case, the commander said. The Spaniard was the last person seen with the victim, he said, adding officers gathered evidence before seeking a warrant to arrest the suspect.

Relatives of the victim told investigators that he had been in a relationship with Mr Sancho for more than one year. “We do not yet know the motive for the murder. We initially believe it might stem from a fit of jealousy,” said Pol Lt Gen Surapong.

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Ministry eyes bold dental health target

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PUBLISHED : 6 Aug 2023 at 04:00

The Ministry of Public Health plans to open one dental hospital in each of the 77 provinces to enable core access to oral healthcare, especially those living upcountry.

Speaking at a seminar, Dr Opas Kankawinpong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said the country does not have enough dentists to serve the population of 70 million people.

He said people should see a dentist twice a year. For those 70 million, it means people need access to dental services at least 140 million times per year.

“At present, the dental services can cater for only 10 million visits a year, about 7.1% of the 140 million visits needed to provide proper dental coverage.

“The ministry commits to taking care of people’s health in all dimensions — including their oral health. We need to increase the number of dentists and add more dental facilities so people have better access to treatment,” he said.

He said the number of dentists employed at state-owned hospitals is about 6,000. On average, about 800 students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in dentistry each year. But only a quarter of them end up working in the state-run sector.

“We aim to provide 100 million dental health sessions to people within 10 years. If we do not change anything, this goal will take 50 years, instead of 10,” he said, adding that one solution is to have more dental hospitals.

He said the ministry will upgrade the dental health bureau in state-owned hospitals nationwide so they can be classed as dental hospitals.

By the end of this year, 39 hospitals will turn their dental health departments into dental hospitals, including Buddhachinaraj Hospital in Phitsanulok, Lam Luk Ka Hospital in Pathum Thani and Than To Hospital in Yala.

The ministry aims to have one dental hospital in every province by next year, he said.

The ministry will work with the Budget Bureau and the National Health Security Office on a budget for building dental hospitals nationwide. These hospitals will also provide career growth opportunities for dentists to run and manage specialised hospitals.

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Prayut vows army will continue to ‘protect the country’

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Caretaker PM to have a big say in coming armed forces reshuffle as new government still weeks away

PUBLISHED : 5 Aug 2023 at 20:03

Prayut vows army will continue to ‘protect the country’
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha (right) and Gen Anupong Paojinda, the caretaker prime minister and interior minister respectively, attend a ceremony on Saturday at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in Nakhon Nayok to mark the 136th anniversary of its establishment. (Photo: Government House)

The armed forces will continue to lead in “protecting the country”, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Saturday when asked about the state of military stability amid rising political tensions.

Thailand is facing rising political tensions as attempts to form a government drag on, nearly three months since the May 14 election. There have been fears that a conflict between pro-democracy and pro-military camps may result in military intervention.

Gen Prayut, the caretaker prime minister and defence minister, is waiting to hand over power to the next government after his party and others allied with it were soundly beaten at the polls.

When asked if he had concerns about the future of the armed forces amid new political turmoil, he said that as long as there are still younger soldiers in the ranks and laws that affirm the importance of the armed forces, there is nothing for him to worry about.

“The armed forces aren’t left to work alone,” he said.

For the rest of his term, Gen Prayut said he would do his best to perform his duty as prime minister and defence minister until the next government takes over.

Asked if he would work behind the scenes and observe political developments from a distance after handing over power, he waved the question away and said: “We’re not there just yet.”

Gen Prayut was speaking after attending a ceremony on Saturday at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in Nakhon Nayok to mark the 136th anniversary of its establishment.

An alumnus of Class 23 at the academy, he was seen talking with some senators who are also alumni.

Army chief Gen Narongpan Jittkaewtae was also seen talking to Gen Prayut for about 30 minutes at the event.

Gen Narongpan declined to comment when asked whether he had discussed with Gen Prayut the army’s reshuffle plan. No meeting has been held to formally discuss the annual reshuffle so far, he said, refusing to elaborate.

The leaders of the three armed forces and the chief of the Thai defence forces will all reach mandatory retirement at the end of September.

This year’s shake-up, however, will not be forwarded to the cabinet for approval.

Instead, the appointments of military top brass will be considered under the 2008 Defence Ministry Administration Act in which a seven-member panel chaired by Gen Prayut, in his capacity as caretaker PM and defence minister, will review the reshuffle list and submit it to the prime minister to be sent for royal approval.

Gen Prayut has reportedly asked the outgoing military leaders to hand in the list by the middle of this month so that it can be finalised the same week.

It is widely speculated that Gen Prayut, who announced in early July his decision to wash his hands of politics nine years after seizing power in a coup, will place his trusted men in top positions in his final act as prime minister before a new government assumes power, tentatively in late August or early September.

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Spanish chef admits to Koh Phangan killing: Police

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Dismembered body parts found in dump on Full Moon party island after slaying of Colombian plastic surgeon

Spanish chef admits to Koh Phangan killing: Police
Police and rescue workers search a rubbish dump where human remains, later confirmed to be from Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, were found on Koh Phangan on Thursday. (Photo: Supapong Chaolan)

SURAT THANI: A Spanish chef has admitted to killing his Colombian surgeon lover and dismembering his body before dumping parts in a landfill on Koh Phangan and his head and other parts in the sea, police say.

Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, was taken to the Koh Phangan police station on Friday for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, 44, a Colombian national. He initially denied any involvement but eventually admitted to the act after intensive questioning by police, said a source familiar with the investigation.

The suspect is the son of the Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre and actress Silvia Bronchalo. A well-known chef in his home country, he also has a YouTube channel. The victim operated a successful plastic surgery clinic in Monteria, Colombia.

Police found more evidence believed to be human body parts after searching a hotel room believed to be the place where the killing took place, Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomjit, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, said on Saturday.

Forensic officers collected samples of hair, fat and tissue from the room’s drain and sent them for forensic testing in Yala. The results would be known on Sunday, said Pol Lt Gen Surapong.

A police examination of security video from various places on the island famed for its Full Moon parties showed Mr Sancho was linked to the case, the commander said.

The Spanish man was the last person seen with the victim before the human body parts were found. Officers were gathering evidence to seek a court warrant for the arrest of Mr Sancho, said Pol Lt Gen Surapong.

Mr Sancho had gone to the Koh Phangan police station on Thursday night to report that Mr Arrieta was missing. This came after news spread that some human body parts had been found.

Trash collectors on Thursday discovered body parts, including a sawed-off pelvis and intestines weighing around five kilogrammes, inside a fertiliser sack at a garbage dump in Moo 4 of Koh Phangan.

More body parts were found on Friday in a black plastic bag at the same location. The bag contained two legs, a black T-shirt, a pair of shorts and a pair of red boxer shorts. (Story continues below)

The suspect: Spanish chef Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29. (Photo: danisanchobanus Instagram)

The victim: Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, 44. (Photo: dredwinarrietacirujanoplastico Instagram)

Pol Lt Gen Surapong said relatives of Arrieta told investigators that he had been in a relationship with Mr Sancho for more than one year.

The pair had gone to Koh Phangan in Surat Thani to attend a Full Moon party. When Arrieta’s relatives were unable to contact him, they contacted Mr Sancho but the Spanish man said he hadn’t seen him yet.

The relatives then contacted the tourist police to inspect the hotel room the victim had booked, but there were no traces of him. They later learned that Mr Sancho had checked in at the hotel alone and later checked out before the victim arrived.

“We do not yet know the motive for the murder. We initially believe it might stem from a fit of jealousy,” said Pol Lt Gen Surapong.

“The investigation found that Daniel Sancho had prepared thoroughly by buying other items for concealing the body. After being detained for immigration offences and having his visa revoked, he showed clear signs of stress, but still refused to confess.

“I have instructed police to closely monitor him for fear that he might resort to commit suicide.”

Pol Col Panya Nirattimanon, chief of the Koh Phangan police station, said on Saturday that Mr Sancho looked stressed and did not sleep after he was taken on Friday for questioning in connection with the disappearance of the Colombian national.

A police source said that during questioning, Mr Sancho told investigators that he had taken Arrieta to his room. He claimed the man wanted to have sex with him, but he refused.

In a fit of anger, he punched his friend, causing the victim to fall and lose consciousness after hitting his head on a bathtub. Mr Sancho subsequently decided to cut the body into 14 pieces and put some parts into a travel bag. He also put some parts into plastic bags and dumped them in a garbage bin.

He took the travel bag to dump in the sea at Salad beach near his hotel. After that he returned to his room and checked out at 9am on Thursday.

He later went to a Full Moon party with two women he knew at the hotel. After returning from the party, he went to the police station where he filed a missing person report that his Colombian friend had disappeared.

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US news outlets ‘misguided’ to expect Singapore to follow either US or China, says ambassador in response to Washington Post article on Lianhe Zaobao

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SINGAPORE: A recent article by the Washington Post “wrongly suggests” that Lianhe Zaobao echoes Beijing’s propaganda, Ambassador to the US Lui Tuck Yew said in a letter to the publication, adding that it was “misguided” for American news outlets to expect Singapore to follow either the US or China.

The letter, made available on the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) website on Saturday (Aug 5), was issued to the editor of the Washington Post in response to its article In Singapore, Loud Echoes of Beijing’s Positions Generate Anxiety.

The article published on Jul 24 said Lianhe Zaobao was “once a reflection of Singapore’s careful neutrality between China and the United States”.

However, it now “routinely echoes some of Beijing’s most strident falsehoods, including denying evidence of rights abuses in Xinjiang and alleging that protests in Hong Kong and in mainland China were instigated by ‘foreign forces’,” said authors Shibani Mahtani and Amrita Chandradas.

In his Letter to the Editor dated Jul 26, Mr Lui said that Singapore was a multi-racial and multi-religious country. 

“Singapore’s mainstream media, including Lianhe Zaobao, reflect our distinct societal concerns, cultural history and perspectives. They report local and global news for Singaporeans and play a crucial role in preserving the voices of our multi-cultural communities.

“In my former role as Singapore’s Ambassador to China, I have often heard its readers of various nationalities affirm Lianhe Zaobao’s balanced coverage and uniquely Singaporean viewpoints. I’m therefore not surprised that Lianhe Zaobao has categorically rejected how it was wrongly portrayed in the article and clearly explained its editorial stance,” he added.

He also wrote that it was “misguided for American news outlets to expect Zaobao to resemble the Washington Post or for Singapore to follow either the US or China”. 

Mr Lui added that Singapore’s media and society are unique, and offer “valuable perspectives” that contribute to the global dialogue.

“It bears repeating that Singapore conducts its foreign policy based on our own interests. We do not pick sides but uphold consistent principles.

“This position enjoys strong public support. A July 2022 poll by our Ministry of Communications and Information showed that 86 per cent of Singaporeans felt their government should always act in Singapore’s best interest and not take sides between the US and China.

“Only 4 per cent felt Singapore should lean towards China, and 4 per cent towards the US. This is despite Singaporeans consuming news from a wide variety of sources. In fact, American and British media are by far the main sources of international news consumed by Singaporeans,” said the ambassador. 

The Washington Post has not responded to Singapore’s request to publish the ambassador’s letter, said MFA. 

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George Goh ‘made a mistake’ about role of the CIO in investment management businesses: Ng Kok Song

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“THARMAN WAS THE POLICYMAKER, I WAS THE MONEY MAKER”

Mr Ng also said on Saturday that he empathised with Singaporeans who are feeling the pain of the higher cost of living. 

“But we are very fortunate in Singapore, that we can keep down the cost of living… It’s because we have a strong Singapore dollar,” he added. 

The strength of the Singapore dollar is related to the country’s financial reserves, he said. “Because our financial reserves is strong, we are able to command the confidence of investors, and they like to invest in the Singapore dollar.” 

The President has an important role to play in safeguarding Singapore’s reserves, he added. 

“I want to become the President so that I can look after our reserves.” 

When asked by a journalist if his and Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s careers were similar, having both served in GIC and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Mr Ng stressed that he served as a public service officer, not a political leader or minister. 

“So we both had different roles to play. You might say that Mr Tharman was a policymaker … But as the chief investment officer of GIC, I helped to make the recommendations that go to the board, and then the board approves the policies. 

“Mr Tharman was the policymaker, I was the money maker.” 

Mr Ng, who submitted his application for a certificate of eligibility via the public sector deliberative track on Wednesday, said he has already gathered his proposer, seconder and eight assenters. 

He previously confirmed that he had listed former Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo as one of his three character references in his eligibility papers. 

On when he plans to announce the identities of his assenters, he said “the right time” would be on Nomination Day. 

Electoral rules require each presidential candidate’s nomination papers to be signed by a proposer, a seconder and at least four other people who are registered voters. Mr Tharman announced his proposer, seconder and eight assenters on Jul 26. 

“I’m very fortunate that I already have the full list of assenters, together with some reserves. We need some reserves because all of the assenters have to be physically present in Singapore, so in case they are travelling, I need reserves,” said Mr Ng. 

“I have the list of assenters, but I think it’s too early because I have not even gotten the certificate of eligibility.” 

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Woman robs gold shop of 37 necklaces

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PUBLISHED : 5 Aug 2023 at 12:37

Woman robs gold shop of 37 necklaces
A woman points a pistol wrapped in a blue plastic bag at staff members of a gold shop in Bang Sao Thong district, Samut Prakan on Friday evening to force them to hand her trays of gold ornaments. The robber made off with 37 gold necklaces. (Photo: CCTV)

SAMUT PRAKAN: A hunt is underway for a middle-aged woman who made off with 37 gold necklaces in a gold shop robbery in Bang Sao Thong district on Friday evening.

The woman parked her motorcycle in front of Kittima gold shop at Muang Mai Bang Phli housing community at 5.52 pm on Friday as shown in a security camera of the shop.

Wearing a full-face crash helmet, a dark green jacket and black trousers, the woman entered the shop with her hand carrying something wrapped in a blue plastic bag.  She suddenly pointed the object, which turned out to be a gun, at staff members to force them to hand her trays of gold ornaments.  The robber immediately swept 37 necklaces, each weighing 50-satang weight of gold, and fled on her motorcycle.

Patrol police arrived at the scene minutes after staff pressed an alarm button.

According to a police investigation, the woman was found to be the same person who tried to snatch a gold necklace from a resident at Eua Arthon housing estate in Bang Chalong of Bang Phli district two hours before the gold shop robbery.  However, she failed to get the necklace before robbing the gold shop, about 6 kilometres away from the first spot.

Pol Maj Gen Panlop Araemlar, commander of Samut Prakan police, ordered officers to hunt down the robber.

Police inspect the gold shop in Bang Sao Thong district, Samut Prakan following the gold shop robbery. (Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan)

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Woman robs gold shop, making off with 37 gold necelaces

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PUBLISHED : 5 Aug 2023 at 12:37

Woman robs gold shop, making off with 37 gold necelaces
A woman points a pistol wrapped in a blue plastic bag at staff members of a gold shop in Bang Sao Thong district, Samut Prakan on Friday evening to force them to hand her trays of gold ornaments. The robber made off with 37 gold necklaces. (Photo: CCTV)

SAMUT PRAKAN: A hunt is underway for a middle-aged woman who made off with 37 gold necklaces in a gold shop robbery in Bang Sao Thong district on Friday evening.

The woman parked her motorcycle in front of Kittima gold shop at Muang Mai Bang Phli housing community at 5.52 pm on Friday as shown in a security camera of the shop.

Wearing a full-face crash helmet, a dark green jacket and black trousers, the woman entered the shop with her hand carrying something wrapped in a blue plastic bag.  She suddenly pointed the object, which turned out to be a gun, at staff members to force them to hand her trays of gold ornaments.  The robber immediately swept 37 necklaces, each weighing 50-satang weight of gold, and fled on her motorcycle.

Patrol police arrived at the scene minutes after staff pressed an alarm button.

According to a police investigation, the woman was found to be the same person who tried to snatch a gold necklace from a resident at Eua Arthon housing estate in Bang Chalong of Bang Phli district two hours before the gold shop robbery.  However, she failed to get the necklace before robbing the gold shop, about 6 kilometres away from the first spot.

Pol Maj Gen Panlop Araemlar, commander of Samut Prakan police, ordered officers to hunt down the robber.

Police inspect the gold shop in Bang Sao Thong district, Samut Prakan following the gold shop robbery. (Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan)

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Joseph Schooling fails to make final cut for Asian Games in Hangzhou

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In response to queries from CNA, Singapore Aquatics said that selection for the Asian Games is based on swimmers clocking the fastest times during the qualification window.

Due to the postponement, the selection window deadline for swimmers was extended from April 2022 to May 2023. 

“At the end of the extended window, two swimmers emerged ahead of Joseph on the back of faster times clocked during the selection window,” it added. 

PREVIOUS ASIAN GAMES

Schooling had put up a record-setting showing at the previous two editions of the Asian Games. 

At Incheon in 2014, he clinched Singapore’s first medal in a male swimming event at the Asian Games in 24 years, grabbing bronze in the 200m Butterfly event. He then took home gold and silver in the 100m and 50m butterfly events. 

Schooling was responsible for two of the total of four gold medals earned by Team Singapore in Jakarta in 2018. The other two golds were from sailing and contract bridge. 

He won both the 50m and 100m butterfly events, also setting an Asian Games record for the 100m. He subsequently helped the men’s 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relay teams to bronze. 

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