Vietnam - Thailand defense cooperation gradually deepens, achieving practical results

On the evening of December 18, at Athanee Hotel, Bangkok, the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand and the Office of the Vietnamese Defense Attaché in Thailand solemnly held the ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2024) and the 35th anniversary of National Defense Day (December 22, 1989 - December 22, 2024).

Photo caption — *Ambassador Pham Viet Hung speaks at the ceremony. Photo: Do Sinh/VNA*

According to the VNA correspondent in Bangkok, the ceremony to congratulate the Vietnam People's Army was attended by General Adinan Chaiyarerk, Second Deputy Secretary and General Tharapong Malakam, Third Deputy Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Defense, along with many representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, Ambassadors and Defense Attachés of friendly countries in Thailand. On the Vietnamese side, there were Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung, Vietnamese Defense Attaché in Thailand - Colonel Pho Trieu Cuong; officials and staff of the Embassy, the Defense Attaché Office and other agencies, along with the overseas Vietnamese community and students living, studying and working in Thailand. Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung said that 80 years ago, on December 22, 1944, implementing the directive of President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army - the predecessor of today's Vietnam People's Army - was established. Inheriting and promoting the spirit of patriotism, the quintessence of the unique military art of the Vietnamese people and the support of international friends, after 80 years of building, fighting and growing, the Vietnam People's Army has continuously grown and developed, always showing the mettle of a revolutionary army, born from the people, fighting for the people, worthy of being a special political force, an absolutely loyal and trustworthy fighting force of the Party, State and People of Vietnam. Reviewing the glorious feats of arms in the cause of national liberation, construction and protection of the Fatherland throughout the glorious history of the past 80 years, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung emphasized that entering a new period, the Vietnam People's Army continues to promote its heroic tradition, constantly improving its overall quality, strength, level, combat readiness, further enhancing the beautiful image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", closely attached to the people... The image of officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army, regardless of sacrifice, present on the front line against the COVID-19 pandemic, wading through storms and floods to help people overcome the consequences of natural disasters, searching and rescuing... vividly demonstrates the army's affection and responsibility towards the people, and is trusted and loved by the people. Ambassador Pham Viet Hung stated that the Party and State's choice of December 22, 1989 as the National Defense Day not only demonstrated the inheritance of the Vietnamese people's tradition of fighting the enemy to defend the country, but also continued to affirm the Communist Party of Vietnam's viewpoint that the entire people participate in building the country and protecting the Fatherland, in which the People's Armed Forces are the core. On this occasion, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung once again affirmed that Vietnam's national defense is a national defense of the entire people, with the nature of peace and self-defense; actively, proactively, resolutely, and persistently preventing and repelling the risk of war. The Party and State of Vietnam advocate socio-economic development associated with national defense, security, and foreign affairs; closely coordinating national defense and security activities with foreign affairs activities. The Vietnam People's Army has always proactively promoted international integration and defense diplomacy on both bilateral and multilateral levels, achieving practical results; actively participate in United Nations peacekeeping activities, international cooperation in the fields of non-traditional security, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue, overcoming the consequences of war, making worthy contributions to the cause of building a peaceful, stable, cooperative and developing environment in the region and the world.

Also at the ceremony, Colonel Pho Trieu Cuong - Vietnam's Defense Attaché in Thailand - emphasized that defense diplomacy has become one of the pillars of the Party's foreign affairs and State diplomacy, an important channel to build and consolidate strategic trust, build and develop friendly relations between Vietnam and other countries and international organizations, contributing to enhancing the position and prestige of the country, people and the Vietnam People's Army. Regarding defense and military cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand in recent times, Colonel Pho Trieu Cuong said that the two sides have maintained and promoted cooperation with steps of development and expansion in many fields, gradually going into depth, achieving practical results for the benefit of both countries. The two sides continue to maintain high-level delegation exchanges, strengthen educational cooperation, military cooperation, intelligence cooperation, cooperation between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Thai Maritime Command Center (THAI-MECC). In the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony, delegates reviewed films introducing the process of building, fighting and growing up of the Vietnam People's Army; about the development of Vietnam's defense industry; and traditional songs about the Vietnam People's Army.

* Earlier the same day, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung and Defense Attaché Pho Trieu Cuong went to the airport to see off the Thai Defense Ministry delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, along with many generals and senior officials of the Thai Defense Ministry, who came to Vietnam to attend the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 and the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Vietnam People's Army. Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/hop-tac-quoc-phong-viet-nam-thai-lan-tung-buoc-di-vao-chieu-sau-dat-duoc-hieu-qua-thiet-thuc-20241219141216522.htm