 In April 1997 , Saprang was shortly transferred to the Ministry of Defense as a staff officer , before being promoted in October 1997 to Commanding General of the 15th Infantry Division , at the time stationed in <unk> <unk> , <unk> <unk> Khan Province . In 2003 , he was promoted to 3rd Corps Commander . In 2004 , it was strongly <unk> that Saprang might be promoted to command the 4th Army , replacing General Pongsak <unk> . General Pongsak had been criticized for <unk> fighting the South Thailand insurgency , after 39 successful <unk> attacks occurred in just one night . Pongsak ended up being replaced in April 2004 by <unk> <unk> . 
