Apirat Kongsompong

Apirat as a Army chief in 2019

Barely a month into his tenure as army chief, Apirat created a media firestorm with his comments on the necessity for military intervention in Thai politics should turmoil surface.[17][18][19]

In October 2019, Gen. Apirat host the special sermon about propaganda in Thailand. As the National security officer, Gen. Apirat heavily concern on digital propaganda via social media because of the hasty widespread the idea of communist or extreme left which is hard to identify.[20] Unfortunately, this mentioned idea is lead to overthrow the monarchy which trend to influenced by riot in Hong Kong and define this operation as a “Hybrid Warfare” for destroy the foundation of the state.[21][22][23][24]

In October 2019, Apriat warned in a speech to military officers, policemen, and uniformed students that, "Propaganda in Thailand is severe and worrying. There is a group of communists who still have ideas to overthrow the monarchy, to turn Thailand to communism..."[25][26] His performance prompted the Bangkok Post to remark, "It was 'a lecture' that should never have been given by any army chief, for its combination of accusations against 'the left' and young people, and sensational and biased political messages."[27][28] The speech prompted one analyst to urge that rival factions end the "enemy mindset".[29] His comments sparked criticism online for being a partisan bureaucrat.[30]

Gen. Apirat provide the urgent policy for detect and solve the difficulty on the welfare for the officer of Royal Thai Army.[31] Gen. Apirat found the direct call centre for officer who has obstacle to provide confidential information to Commander in chief directly. Moreover, Due to Nakhon Ratchasima shootings in 2020 cause by the welfare housing system, Gen. Apirat establish the investigation committee for examine the source of obstacle and find the solution include provide remedy for the victim.[32] The hot line provide valuable evidence lead to the undercover problem in Royal Thai Army and sent it to the specialist organization such as office of the national Anti-corruption commission.[33]

After Nakhon Ratchasima shootings in 2020, in which the perpetrator cited corruption in the army as motives, he as the army chief created an anonymous complaint hotline program on 17 February 2020.[34] However, some media reported no concrete achievements.[35] Later in April, an army sergeant filed a complaint about another corruption in the army via the program, but he was retaliated.[36][37][38]

In July 2020, Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, a former police chief and leader of an opposition party Seree Ruam Thai, condemned Apirat’s intervention in politics.[39]

On 15 September 2020, King Vajiralongkorn ordered the Bureau of the Royal Household to accept a transfer of Apirat from the retirement of the Royal Thai Army to the Bureau of the Royal Household in the position of Vice-Chamberlain of the Household.[40][41]

•  Thailand:
  • Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand[42]
  • Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
  • Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
  • Companion (Third Class, Lower grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao [43]
  • Recipient of the Chakrabarti Mala Medal
  • Recipient of the Installation Medal of H.R.H. Maha Vajiralongkorn as Crown Prince
  • Recipient of the 60th Birthday Medal of Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn
  • Recipient of the King Rama X Coronation Medal

•  Johor:
  • Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ibrahim of Johor[44]
•  United States:
  • Commander of the Legion of Merit[45]