Thai PM hands army chief's seat to successor

BANGKOK, September 30 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Chief of the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has handed his Army Chief's seat to his successor, General Udomdej Sitabutr, as he retires on September 30, 2014. Speaking at the succession ceremony, held at the Royal Thai Army headquarters in Bangkok on Tuesday, General Prayuth said he is confident that his successor, General Udomdej, who is also Deputy Defence Minister, will make the Royal Thai Army a national and ASEAN army. General Prayuth congratulated General Udomdej and thanked subordinates for their trust in him and his work, stating he believes the new army chief will work for national interest and be calm and determined to strengthen the Royal Thai Army and develop its important roles in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). General Udomdej thanked General Prayuth for his contributions to the Royal Thai Army and promised to work with honesty, supervise subordinates with righteousness and fairness, proceed with policies and promote national security, unity and stability. There were a parade and rows of army personnel bidding farewell to General Prayuth, who served as the 37th Thai army chief for four years. After the ceremony, General Prayuth greeted personnel present in the event and waved goodbye to army officers, before traveling in his limousine heading for nearby Government House, where he works as the prime minister. (TNA)