BANGKOK, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Supreme Commander Gen. Ruengroj Mahasaranont has warned the armed forces to prepare for apolitical crisis, as the caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ordered an early military reshuffle to shore up his political security, local media Friday reported.

    Gen. Ruengroj on Thursday met with air force chief Chalit Pukpasuk, navy chief Sathiraphan Keyanont, police chief Kit Wattana and army chief-of-staff Sophon Silpipat, and told them to be wary of the political situation and warned of a possible political crisis, armed forces spokesman Palangkun Klaharn was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying.

    The supreme commander also urged the armed forces and police to monitor the situation closely and keep social order, Palangkun said.

    He insisted that political problems would be solved by political means and security agencies would do their duty and support the constitutional monarchy.

    A military source said Ruengroj told the armed forces chiefs to send him their military reshuffle lists by July 21. The lists would be sent to caretaker Defense Minister Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya for endorsement by July 27.

    Thaksin had ordered Gen Thammarak to finish the annual reshuffle lists by next month, the source said. Normally preparation of the lists starts next month and the changes take effect in October.

    The source said Thaksin wanted to reorganize the armed forces, possibly to strengthen his political power.

    Army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin was likely to be "kicked upstairs" to become supreme commander and replaced by his assistant Pornchai Kranlert, a former classmate of Thaksin at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. Enditem