Two senior officers at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School were transferred to inactive posts yesterday, following the death of a cadet last month.
The official transfer order was signed yesterday by Supreme Commander Thanchaiyan Srisuwan.
Under the order, Col Chatchai Duangrat, commander of a cadet regiment at the military academy was transferred to serve at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters.
He was replaced by Col Benjapol Dechatiwong Na Ayutthaya, deputy commander of the 21st Infantry Regiment, Queen's Guard.
Cdr Noppasit Pianchob, commander of the school's cadet battalion, was transferred to the Royal Thai Marine Corps. He was replaced by Cdr Prasertsilp Worasit, head of the Royal Thai Marine Corps' ordnance division.
While the transfer order does not specify the reasons, the changes are believed to be linked to the death of Pakapong "Moei" Tanyakan, an 18-year-old first-year cadet, at the school on Oct 17, a source said.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd yesterday said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had apologised to Pakapong's family and pledged to continue with the investigation to get to the bottom of his death.
"The prime minister apologised on behalf of all involved if this has caused the public distress," Lt Gen Sansern said.
The prime minister has instructed all military units to treat their personnel like family members and to avoid excessive punishment, the spokesman said.
Lt Gen Sansern said the prime minister will monitor the case and listen to information from all sides -- doctors, the family, teachers, senior students and friends of Pakapong.
The prime minister has promised the investigations will continue to find the truth and anyone found guilty of a crime must be held responsible, the spokesman said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday said he had told Gen Thanchaiyan to ensure fairness to all sides, and to ensure the investigation will be transparent and does not favour anyone.
Gen Thanchaiyan has appointed ACM Chawarat Marungruang, deputy head of the joint chiefs of staff, to head an inquiry into the cause of Pakapong's death.
Gen Prawit also apologised to Pakapong's family for remarks, reported by media, that might have upset them.
Gen Prawit has been lambasted for remarks attributed to him on Wednesday in which he reportedly said he himself experienced tough disciplinary punishment in his day, and that students who are concerned by such practices shouldn't join the academy.
More than 23,000 people have signed an online petition on change.org to call on the army to punish those involved in the cadet's death.
Those found guilty must resign and face disciplinary action and criminal prosecution, they say.
The campaign, which started on Thursday, called on the army to ensure the investigation is transparent and the findings are revealed to the public.
