Although the colonel General Staff position was traditionally held only by colonels, Than Shwe let Brig-Gen Thein Sein remain in the post.

尽管总参谋部的工作历来只由上校担任，但丹瑞还是让吴登盛准将担任原职。

youdao

Thein Sein is the highest ranking Burmese official to attend the General Assembly in 14 years.

VOA: standard.2009.09.29

In January, 2011, Than Shwe anointed a successor, General Thein Sein.

NEWYORKER: The Burmese Spring

In the past week the president (and former general), Thein Sein, has announced that construction of the Myitsone dam across the River Irrawaddy would cease.

ECONOMIST: Hope in Myanmar

After decades of harsh military dictatorship, Myanmar's armed forces in 2011 handed power to a former general, President Thein Sein, who began a series of political reforms at the head of a nominally civilian government composed largely of former military men.

WSJ: Myanmar Generals Say Military Has Political Role; Suu Kyi Attends Parade