Udomdej Sitabutr

Udomdej studied at Saint Gabriel's College, an all-boys school. He then decided to go into a military career and proceeded to study at Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Class 14) and Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (Class 25). Once finished in cadet school, he studied at Command and General Staff College (Class 65) and National Defence College (Class 57).^[2]

Udomdej started duty in the 21st Infantry Regiment, King's Guard, considered part of the Queen's Guards. After that, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the 1st Army Area and the Commander of 1st Army Area respectively. In 2013, he was appointed as Deputy Army Commander.^[3]

Sitabutr succeeded Prayuth Chan-ocha, who in May 2014, had seized power in a coup d'état.^[4]

He concurrently served as Secretary-General of the junta, the National Council for Peace and Order. During his tenure he was implicated in the Rajabhakti Park scandal, having overseen its construction as Chairman of the Rajabhakti Foundation.^[5][6]

Udomdej retired in 2015 and was succeeded by Theerachai Nakvanich, with whom he had had a long-running feud.^[7]

During his tenure as Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, he received another position that was appointed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to become Deputy Minister of Defence under Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.^[8] He was fined from the cabinet on 23 November 2017.^[9][10]