Thai named Timor force commander

Thai named Timor force commander

BANGKOK (AFP): The United Nations has appointed Thailand's Lt. Gen. Boonsrang Niumpradit as the new commander of the UN force in East Timor, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Boonsrang is to replace Philippines commander Jaime de Los Santos next week and will hold the post for one year.

Thailand last month submitted the names of two candidates to the United Nations which had asked it to assume control of the 8,561 troops in Timor.

The losing candidate was Maj. Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara, who served as deputy commander in the Australian-led multinational force which brought peace to the territory last year.

The International Force in East Timor then handed over to UN peacekeepers known as UNTAET (UN Transitional Administration in East Timor), made up of troops from 40 members countries, including 921 from Thailand.