Defence Ministry Approves 329 Cadets for 69th National Defence Course
The Defence Ministry has approved 329 cadets for the 69th National Defence Course starting in October, including military officers from Thailand, five allied nations, and notably Myanmar for the first time this year.
The Defence Ministry has approved the roster of 329 participants for the 69th National Defence Course (Wapro) for the 2569-2570 academic year, following Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's endorsement. General Tharapong Malayakham, Permanent Secretary of the Defence Ministry, signed Defence Ministry Order (Special) No. 266/69 authorizing the intake, with instruction scheduled to commence in October 2569. The 329 participants comprise 109 officers from Thailand's three armed services, 13 police officers, and five foreign military officers from Indonesia, China, Myanmar, Malaysia, and India. Cambodia did not send military personnel this year, marking the second consecutive year without Cambodian participation. A rotation system now allows allied nations to fill available slots, with Myanmar entering the programme this year. Notable Thai army officers in the intake include Lieutenant General Inthon Ratnakal, Deputy Commander of the Special Warfare Command; Lieutenant General Theppituk Nimit, Deputy Regional Commander 1; and Lieutenant General Benjapol Dechatiwong, Commander of the 2nd Infantry Regiment of the King's Guard, who is watched as a possible future Deputy Regional Commander 1. Other notable army participants include Lieutenant General Thit Ratchcha Sombutsiri, Army Secretary; Air Chief Marshal Kamthon Gerdthamai, Deputy Commander of the Artillery Air Defence Division; and Lieutenant General Sithichak Romphotsee, Commander of Territorial Defence Region 11. The Royal Thai Navy is represented by Rear Admiral Ratchada Suengthawar, Head of the Naval Staff Secretariat, and Flight Lieutenant Jirapong Apisatchawong, Assistant Military Naval Attaché at the Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Air Chief Marshal Seksorn Khantha, or 'Big Kim,' commander of the Royal Thai Air Force, sent a new generation of air force officers to the course to strengthen their knowledge of strategy and high-level management. Notable air force participants include Air Vice Marshal Krishana Piamsinee, former Commander of Wing 1 Nakhon Ratchasima; Flight Lieutenant Putthapon Polcheewun, former Commander of Wing 7 Surat Thani; Flight Lieutenant Serewan Khlaiputh, former Commander of Wing 46 Phitsanulok; and Flight Lieutenant Porthon Jinawat, former Commander of Wing 41 Chiang Mai. All have significant command experience with major air force units.
