"Big Dul" Responds to 4th Army Region Commander Transfer Praises Commander’s Dedication to Work

Today (April 21, 2026) at 8:30 AM, at the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine, Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, Minister of Defence, addressed the calls to transfer Lieutenant General Norathip Poynok, Commander of the 4th Army Region, from the area. He stated that the 4th Army Region Commander is a dedicated individual and noted that they are personal friends who have served together in the Northeast throughout their careers.

He added that he had advised the commander on implementing the Royal Strategy in line with the government's policy of "Understanding, Accessibility, and Development" by engaging with Islamic boarding schools (pondok) and private schools to build mutual understanding first. Once understanding and trust are established, a plan for collaborative development can be determined. He affirmed that this Royal Strategy has been successfully applied in every area and situation.

When asked whether he was concerned about Information Operations (IO) being used to create a narrative demanding the commander's transfer and whether the situation might escalate, Lt. Gen. Adul said, "That matter is over. They have talked and understood each other."