List of Chiefs of Defence Forces (Thailand)
The Chief of Defence Forces, previously known as the Supreme Commander, is the overall field commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. He is also in charge of managing the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters. Not to be confused with the ceremonial Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces who is the constitutional Head of State and Monarch of Thailand.
Prior to 1960 the post was an ad hoc creation by Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, during World War II. However, under Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat the position became permanent, and in its early life was even combined with the post of Prime Minister of Thailand. In February 2008 the English name of the post was changed from Supreme Commander to Chief of Defence Forces with the reorganization of the Supreme Command Headquarters into the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters.
Since the Chief of Defence Forces acts more like a coordinator between three military branches and he commands smaller military force than the Army, the Navy, of the Air Force has, the position is usually reserved for senior army generals who will not be appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army. It is customary to appoint the chief of defence to four-star rank in all three branches in the Armed Forces.
The current commander is General Pornpipat Benyasri since October 2018.Chiefs of Defence Forces (2008−present)
