Sunai, former special warfare chief, strongly tipped as next defence minister

Ex-Special Warfare chief Gen Sunai Praphuchanay is expected to become Thailand’s next defence minister, succeeding Phumtham in the Paetongtarn II Cabinet.

General Sunai Praphuchanay, former commander of the Special Warfare Command and a close associate of Thailand’s current military leadership, is strongly tipped to become the next defence minister, replacing Phumtham Wechayachai.

Well-informed sources confirmed to The Nation on Monday that the defence portfolio would be handed to Sunai after Phumtham leaves the post to become interior minister in the upcoming Paetongtarn II Cabinet.

Sunai is a graduate of Class 21 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, where his classmates included Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. He later completed Class 32 at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy.

Throughout his military career, Sunai served in the Special Warfare Command, eventually rising to become its commander.

He is known to have a close relationship with the current military leadership, particularly General Songwit Noonpackdee, the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

In 2020, Sunai was tasked with leading operations in response to a mass shooting incident carried out by an army sergeant in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Following his retirement, Sunai ran for the position of president of the Lopburi Provincial Administrative Organisation with the backing of Pheu Thai, but was unsuccessful.

(2025/06/23-00:00)