Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha was appointed Com-mander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) on Oct 1, 2010 taking over from Gen Anupong Paochinda who reached the mandatory retirement age. The appointment was part of the main annual military reshuffle. Gen Prayuth was a member of the Class 12 of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA) which has produced a vast majority of Thailand's military leaders including some who have become prime ministers. Within the military circles, Prayuth is known a respected commanding officer. Born in 1954, Gen Prayuth is also seen as a staunch royalist and a professional soldier. Soon after the appointment, he has reportedly expressed the hope that the army will step back from politics. Gen Prayuth has also been earning the trust of the government, in particular Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who is also defence minister.
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