General A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...

Chalermchai Sitthisart PC () is a retired Thai military officer and

general A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...

within the

Royal Thai Army The Royal Thai Army or RTA (; ) is the army of Thailand and the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. History Origin The Royal Thai Army is responsible for protecting the kingdom's sovereignty. The army was formed in 187 ...

. In September 2016, he was chosen to serve as the Commander in Chief of the

, and was endorsed by then-King

Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej (5 December 192713 October 2016), titled Rama IX, was King of Thailand from 1946 until Death and funeral of Bhumibol Adulyadej, his death in 2016. His reign of 70 years and 126 days is the longest of any List of Thai mo ...

. Sitthisart was appointed to replace the retiring Teerachai Nakwanich, with his appointment taking effect on October 1. Chalermchai start working after graduated from the military school at

Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Command The Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Command () also known as Pa Wai Airborne () is the special forces of the Royal Thai Army. Its headquarters are King Narai Camp in Lopburi. History The Royal Thai Army recognizes the importance and necessi ...

as a special operations force officer so that Chalermchai's appointment marked a departure from the Burapha Payak royalist military faction - known as the "Eastern Tigers", as he is considered to not have ties with the dominant faction.

Education and careers

Chalermchai study in primary and secondary at Benjamaratrangsarit school at Chachoengsao Province and then attending the

Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School The Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School or AFAPS (Thai: โรงเรียนเตรียมทหาร) is a senior high school in Nakhon Nayok Province. It is a flagship institution of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters. The c ...

as a pre-cadet as a prerequisite for attending

Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA) (; ) is the service academy of Royal Thai Army (RTA). Established in 1887 it has graduated the majority of Thailand's military leaders, many of whom have become Prime Ministers of Thailand, Thai prime m ...

(CRMA), Class 16. After graduated in Military school, he studies at Command and General Staff College and National Defence College. Chalermchai previously held a position of Chief of Staff of the Special Warfare Command and then become Commander of the 1st Special Forces Division, Commander of the Special Warfare Command, Assistant Commander-in-Chief and finally serve at the position of Commander-in-Chief.

Royal careers

Almost immediately following his retirement, he was appointed to the Privy Council.พลเอก เฉลิมชัย สิทธิสาท
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Honours

Royal Decorations

* Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted

Order of the White Elephant __NOTOC__ The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (; ) is an order (decoration), order of Thailand. It was established in 1861 by King Mongkut, Rama IV of the Thailand, Kingdom of Siam. Along with the Order of the Crown of Thailand, it is r ...

* Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble

Order of the Crown of Thailand The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (; ) is a Thai order, established in 1869 by King Rama V of The Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) for Thais, the royal family, governmental employees, and foreign dignitaries for their outstanding serv ...

* Knight Commander of the Most Illustrious

Order of Chula Chom Klao The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao (; ) was established on 16 November 1873 by King Rama V of The Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) to commemorate the 90th Jubilee of the Chakri Dynasty and bears his name (จุลจอมเกล� ...

* Freeman Safeguarding Medal, 2nd Class 2nd Cat * Border Service Medal * Chakra Mala Medal *

King Rama X Vajiralongkorn (born 28 July 1952) is King of Thailand. He is the tenth Thai monarch of the Chakri dynasty since ascending the throne in 2016 with the regnal name Rama X. The only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirik ...

Royal Cypher Medal, 3rd Class

Foreign Honours

* : **

Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) The Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) () is a Awards and decorations of the Singapore Armed Forces, decoration awarded to members of the Singapore Armed Forces for exceptionally distinguished performance or extraordinary service, or the furtherance ...

* : ** Commander of the

Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a Awards and decorations of the United States military, military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievemen ...

References

Chalermchai Sitthisart Chalermchai Sitthisart Living people 1957 births Chalermchai Sitthisart Chalermchai Sitthisart Chalermchai Sitthisart Chalermchai Sitthisart Recipients of the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) {{Thailand-mil-bio-stub