Gen Prayuth Bids Farewell To Troops

 

 

BANGKOK : -- Army  Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha bade farewell to his subordinates and passed on the army top post to his successor Gen Udomdej Seetabutr in a colourful farewell ceremony and parade of his troops at the headquarters of the Royal Thai Army. 

 

The emotional event was  an important date for  General Prayuth, also the prime minister and head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), because it marked  his retirement from four years of  active duty as Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and 38 years in the Army career.

Three regiments of  infantry, cavalry and artillery troops  paraded to say farewell to their former commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.

He was the 37th commander-in-chief  of the Army and from today October 1, he will be succeeded by General Udomdej Seetabutr.

In his farewell address to his subordinates, he stated that his 38 years of active military career has been the proudest moments in his life.

He reiterated  that the defence of the nation, religion, the monarchy and the people was the highest honour he has been given as a military man.

He expressed his confidence in the abilities of his successor and was confident that he will be able to lead the Army very competently.

Although the farewell ceremony for the former commander-in-chief  of the Army was comparatively low key, but  it was one filled with prestige and honour and the General Prayuth was very elegant as he said his farewell to his troops from every rank and file.

Each and every one of his subordinates stated that they were sad to see such a fine commander go.

“The general was a straight forward and loyal man and always taught us all to be responsible and loyal to the country, ”  Master Sergeant Nopphasit Pattana-sithipong said.

“The general always looked after the welfare of all of his troops. He was always approachable and extremely competent. I love him and will miss him very much, ” Sergeant Apinya Appicha Assawaporn said.

Gen Prayuth, or ‘Big Tu’, is only the second man after General Surayuth Chulanont to complete a full four year term as commander-in-chief of the Army.

Besides, he is also the only commanding general of the Chonburi-based  Queen’s Guards Division  in history to rise to  the top position of the administration  of the country.