A Facebook post congratulating Lt. Gen. Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the 2nd Army Region, on his alleged promotion to full General has been proven false. The Royal Thai Army confirmed there has been no such appointment. The same post also claimed that his deputy, Maj. Gen. Weerayuthh Raksilp, would be promoted to take over the command. However, Thai PBS Verify found no record of the claimed promotions in the Royal Gazette on August 18, nor in subsequent announcements between August 18 and 20. The military has also rejected the claim.
Thai PBS Verify traced the false report to Facebook
The Facebook page ‘Isan Ban Hao’ shared a photo of Lt. Gen. Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the 2nd Army Region, and Maj. Gen. Weerayut Raksin, Deputy Commander of the 2nd Army Region, congratulating them on their alleged appointments as full General and Commander of the 2nd Army Region on August 18, 2025
The rumor began after the Facebook page “Isan Ban Hao” shared photos of the two officers on August 18, 2025, accompanied by messages congratulating them on their supposed promotions. The post went further, claiming that Lt. Gen. Boonsin had been granted a royal appointment to serve in the Royal Household and that Maj. Gen. Weerayuth was set to become the next 2nd Army Region commander. The message drew 324 reactions and 117 comments, amplifying speculation across social media.
Royal Gazette records show no appointment
Thai PBS Verify investigated the claim by searching the Royal Gazette, where official military promotions must be published. A review of announcements between August 18 and 20, 2025, found no record of such appointments. The Royal Thai Army also confirmed directly that the claims were untrue and urged the public not to share or believe misleading information.
The Royal Gazette website
Army Denies Promotion Rumors
Thai PBS Verify also checked directly with the Royal Thai Army, which confirmed that reports of the promotions and the assignment to the Royal Household were false. The Army urged the public not to share or believe such misleading information.
Photo from the Royal Thai Army Facebook page denying reports of Lt. Gen. Boonsin’s promotion to full General
Focus on 2nd Army Region Leadership as Retirement Nears
Part of the reason the rumor spread so quickly is the heightened attention surrounding Lt. Gen. Boonsin, who is set to retire on September 30, 2025. He has been praised for his handling of recent tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border, earning recognition both inside the military and in political circles. Some supporters have even called for an extension of his service, though Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has cautioned that such a move could disrupt the Army’s internal seniority system and the broader structure of military appointments.
With Lt. Gen. Boonsin’s retirement approaching, attention is already turning to who will lead the influential 2nd Army Region, with three senior officers considered the leading candidates as follows.
- Maj. Gen. Weerayuthh Raksilp, Deputy Commander and a close classmate of both Lt. Gen. Boonsin and Army Commander Gen. Pana Klao-plodtook. He is regarded as a steady battlefield leader, most recently commanding Thai forces during clashes along the Cambodian border.
- Maj. Gen. Norathip Poinok, another Deputy Commander, who rose from the 3rd Infantry Division and was promoted in 2024. Though from the same military preparatory class, he is junior in seniority.
- Maj. Gen. Nat Sri-in, also Deputy Commander, known for his deep roots in the Northeast and fluency in Khmer, a skill that has proven useful in border operations. He has previously commanded paramilitary units and has received the Honor Award, as well as being recognized as an outstanding alumnus of the Armed Forces Preparatory School.
Why the 2nd Army Region matters
The 2nd Army Region covers Thailand’s Northeast, including its long and often sensitive border with Cambodia. The position is not only central to national security but also seen as a stepping stone to top military and even political leadership. Several former commanders have risen to the highest ranks, including Gen. Surayud Chulanont, current president of the Privy Council, and the late Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, a former president of the Privy Council and a revered statesman. The current selection is closely watched, as it could shape the next generation of army leaders or shift the military’s seniority system.
