Chief of Staff RTAF; has the ability to enlist and to dismiss staff; has significant clout within the Air Force, second only to the C-in-C. Has strong ties to the Japan Self-Defence Force, gained during his time studying abroad. Very technologically minded, prefers to stay ACM Chom Rungsawan abreast and ahead of the curve in that area. Commander-in-Chief RTAF; has command over Air Force operations and generally sets the direction of the RTAF. President of Thai Airways, which is Thailand's principal airline. His brothers ACM Prachin Chantong own one of the largest food chains throughout Asia. Former Commander-in-Chief RTN. Direct connection to Philippine Navy. He is a part of the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situations, which is responsible for coordinating forces against political revolts. Was a classmate of former Prime Minister Thaksin Adm. Khamtorn Pumhiran Shinawatra. Commander Royal Thai Fleet. Chiefly oversees operations of the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, the RTN's flagship aircraft carrier, which in peacetime is largely used as a ceremonial and disaster relief vessel. Adm. Narit Pratumsuwan Maintains direct command over all surface combat ships of the RTN. Commander-in-Chief RTN; includes jurisdiction over the Royal Thai Fleet (the principal surface combat unit of the Navy), Marine Corps, and Naval Air and Coast Guard Defense Command. Held various staff and command positions in the Navy prior to his appointment as Adm. Narong Phipatanasai C-in-C. Former naval attaché to Rome. Former Commander-in-Chief RTA, retired in 2010. Still has major clout over the Army and its affairs. While C-in-C, was appointed to head the efforts against the Red and Yellow Shirt rioters in 2008. Was a classmate of former Prime Minister and controversial public figure Thaksin Shinawatra. Part of the Burapha Payak military Gen. (Ret) Anupong Paochinda faction, which is allied with the Queen's Guard. Former Minister of Defense and former Commander-in-Chief RTA. Has substantial influence in Thai military and is well respected by civilians. Personally holds significant wealth. Belongs to the Burapha Gen. (Ret) Prawit Wongsuwan Payak (Queen's Guard) military clique. President of the Privy Council. Former Prime Minister of Thailand and former C-in-C RTA. He is the leader of the Luk Pa military faction, centred around the Privy Council. Has personal ties to King Rama IX and the Royal Family. Extremely well respected in both Gen. (Ret) Prem Tinsulanonda military and civilian circles due to his age and experience. Privy Councillor; faithful member of the Luk Pa (Privy Council) military clique, the King's inner circle of advisors. Personal friends with King Rama IX. Has held many high offices in both the military Gen. (Ret) Surayud Chulanont and in civilain government, including Prime Minister, C-in-C RTA. Chief of Staff RTA. Part of military faction Wong Thewan (King’s Guard). Was previously the Assistant Chief of the Army Staff and the chairman of Army Advisory Council. Had also previously been appointed Head of the Operations for the Division of the Center for Resolution of Emergency Situations, which is the body responsible Gen. Aksara Kerdphol for subduing political riots. Assistant Commander-in-Chief RTA. Was the director of Army Finances and then Deputy Auditor-General of the Army. Later appointed as Assistant Chief of the Army Staff of the Logistics Department. Was classmates with Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Gen. Chatchai Sarikalaya current C-in-C RTA. Former Chief of Staff RTA and active spokesperson for the Army. A prominent member of the Wong Thewan (King's Guard) military clique; was outspoken in his criticism of Burapha Payak (Queen's Guard). Was a classmate of Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the current Gen. Dapong Ratanasuwan C-in-C RTA. Permanent Secretary for Defense, works with Ministry of Defence in controlling and managing the Royal Thai Armed Forces. This therefore puts him very close to the government's executive branch. Gen. Nipat Thonglek Also part of the Wong Thewan (King's Guard) military clique. Former Commander of the 1st Army Area which is responsible for Central Thailand and Bangkok. He is noted for having connections in all three factions of the Thai Army - Wong Thewan (King's Guard), Burapha Payak (Queen's Guard) and Luk Pa (Privy Council). Though retired he is still active among the Army; he is often seen as Gen. Paibul Koomchaya a mediator between the three factions Assistant Chief of Staff RTA. Former Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence. Former military attaché to Singapore from the RTA. Extensive educational and vocational background on law, politics, Gen. Sirichai Ditthakun and economics. Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defense, a middleman between the civilian government and the military. Was a former Special Forces member, seen as a hero for quelling communist rebels on the Cambodian border. Taught Public Relations as a lecturer at Gen. Surasak Kanchanarat Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University. Chief of Defense Forces. He started off a low level commander of the 21st Infantry Regiment but made connections with the Burapha Payak military clique, which is allied with the Queen's Guard. He is technically Commander-in-Chief of the entire Armed Forces, but his Gen. Thanasak Patimaprakorn decisions are often held second to those of the C-in-C of the Army. Deputy Commander-in-Chief RTA; was personally appointed by Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha, C-in-C RTA. Commander of the 11th military district (Bangkok); is responsible for the military forces which quell revolts in the city. Part of the Burapha Payak (Queen's Guard) Gen. Udomdej Sitabutr military clique. Commander Special Warfare Command; in charge of the RTA's special forces units. Spent much of his career in Special Forces successfully hunting down notorious terrorist in remote regions of Thailand. Is part of the Privy Council and therefore the Luk Pa Lt. Gen. Chalermchai Sitthisart military clique. Commander of the 3rd Army Area, which oversees the Northern Provinces; has overseen earthquake relief and anti-drug operations. Nominally part of the Burapha Payak military faction, which is allied with the Queen's Guard. Brother of Prayuth Chan-o-cha, C-in-C Lt. Gen. Preecha Chan-o-cha RTA. Commander of the 1st Army Area, which is responsible for Central Thailand and Bangkok. As such, he is close to the Royal Family and is best placed to threaten the capital city with his forces. A member of the Wong Thewan military clique, which is allied with the King's Lt. Gen. Teerachai Nakwanich Guard. Commander of the 2nd Army Area, which oversees the northeastern provinces, particularly the border with Laos. This consists of 3rd and 6th Infantry Division, 3rd Cavalry Division, and 2nd Development Division. Never strictly joined any of the military cliques, but has Lt. Gen. Thawat Sookplung aspirations to join Burapha Payak (Queen's Guard). Commander of the 4th Army Area which oversees Southern Thailand; is administratively responsible for the fight against the Southern Insurgency. A close friend of Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Lt. Gen. Walit Rootchanapakdi the current C-in-C RTA, who helped him attain his current position. Commissioner-General RTP. He graduated from the RTPA with Class 29 along with fellow officer Police General Watcharapol Prasanratchakit. He was the former Commander of the Royal Thai Police Forward Headquarters in the three southernmost provinces, Pol. Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew dishing out justice against the Southern Insurgency. Commssioner Metropolitan Police. He commands the entire police force in Bankok as well as in the suburbs. Has significant connections with American police forces due to his education, in particular the FBI and police departments of New York and Washington DC. He is also a member of the Board of Governors for the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) and the Bangkok Pol. Gen. Chakthip Chaijinda Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). Deputy Commissioner-General RTP; has been in this position for several years. Has command and respect at all the major police stations in and around Bangkok. Former member of the National Pol. Gen. Watcharapol Prasanratchakit Assembly and public Spokesperson for the RTP.