Bangkok: Three candidates have emerged as potential successors for the position of 2nd Army Region Commander, following the impending retirement of Lt. Gen. Boonsin Phadklang on September 30. Social media platforms are abuzz with calls to maintain stability by postponing the change of command until the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border situation is resolved.
According to Thai News Agency, Lt. Gen. Boonsin Phadklang, who currently leads Army Region 2, is set to retire on September 30, 2025. With just 50 days remaining in his tenure, there is a growing public demand to avoid leadership changes during the current border conflict, and to consider extending Lt. Gen. Boonsin’s term until the situation is fully resolved.
Concerns have been raised about the potential administrative challenges that could arise if the commander’s term is extended. However, it is believed that the candidates for the next Army Region 2 commander will likely satisfy both Lt. Gen. Boonsin and Gen. Pana Klaewplodthuk, the Army Commander.
Maj. Gen. Wirayut Raksin, also known as Rong Teng, is the first candidate under consideration. He currently serves as the Deputy Commander of Army Region 2 and Deputy Director of Internal Security Operations Region 2. He is a graduate from Class 26 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, sharing the same class as Army Commander-in-Chief Pu and Army Commander Kung. Maj. Gen. Wirayut has played a role in international discussions, having been part of the Thailand team involved in the GBC talks in Malaysia. His recent promotion from Commander of the 6th Infantry Division to Deputy Commander of Army Area 2 in 2023 makes him a prominent contender.
The second candidate is Maj. Gen. Narathip Poynok, also a Deputy Commander of Army Area 2 and a member of the 26th class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. Although he shares the same class as Maj. Gen. Wirayut, his seniority is slightly lower. Maj. Gen. Narathip advanced from his position as Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division to Deputy Commander of Army Area 2 in 2024, making him the second-most senior Deputy Commander.
The third candidate, Maj. Gen. Nat Sri-in, holds the position of Deputy Commander of Army Area 2. He is a graduate of Class 27 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and commands the 6th Infantry Division. Known for his experience in the Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom temple battles, Maj. Gen. Nat is a native of Surin and is fluent in Khmer. Despite being a junior from Class 27, he is second in seniority to Maj. Gen. Wirayut.
Additionally, there have been rumors circulating in Cambodian online news suggesting that Maj. Gen. Nat, who is of Cambodian descent, might ascend to the position of Army Region 2 Commander, potentially influencing a change in leadership amidst fears of a recapture attempt at Ta Kwai Temple.
In response to these developments, General Nattapol Nakphanit, the Deputy Defense Minister, stated that he is open to listening to the concerns of the Thai populace regarding the recent conflict. However, he emphasized the importance of careful consideration to ensure the morale of subordinate officers and to provide them with opportunities for advancement. Despite the ongoing tensions, both the Second Army Region Commander and his subordinates have been recognized for fulfilling their duties effectively.