Commander of the Royal Thai Army Defense Forces on official visit to Vietnam

At the invitation of Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Minister of National Defense, a high-ranking military delegation of the Royal Thai Army led by General Chalermphon Srisawasdi, Commander of the National Defense Forces, and his wife paid an official visit to Vietnam from September 19-21, 2023.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong and General Chalermphon Srisawasdi inspect the Vietnam People's Army's Guard of Honor. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA

On the morning of September 20, at the Headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense (Hanoi), Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Nguyen Tan Cuong chaired the official welcoming ceremony for Commander of the Royal Thai Army Chalermphon Srisawasdi. Welcoming General Chalermphon Srisawasdi and the delegation to an official visit to Vietnam, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong affirmed that the visit is of great significance, taking place in the context of the two countries celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership, contributing to creating new momentum for the Vietnam - Thailand defense relationship. On the basis of the good friendship and cooperation between the two countries, cooperation between the two armies has continuously developed with many practical and effective activities. Cooperation mechanisms continue to be effectively promoted, especially defense policy dialogue; Coast Guard exchange; military and service cooperation; young officer exchange; information sharing; training cooperation; consult and support each other at multilateral forums and mechanisms led by ASEAN... Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong respectfully thanked the Ministry of National Defense and the Royal Thai Army for actively participating in multilateral events organized by the Vietnam People's Army in 2022, especially the 23rd ASEAN Army Chiefs' Conference, the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2022 and continuing to send a delegation of coaches and athletes to participate in the 2023 ASEAN Army Men's Volleyball Tournament organized by the Vietnam People's Army for the first time in the near future. The participation of the Thai delegation will contribute to the overall success of the tournament, thereby contributing to enhancing mutual understanding and trust between the ASEAN Armies in general and between the two Armies in particular. At the meeting, Senior Lieutenant General Chalermphon Srisawasdi highly appreciated the cooperation between the two Armies; At the same time, he congratulated Vietnam on successfully organizing the 23rd ASEAN Army Chiefs' Conference and the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2022. Expressing his wish that the cooperation between the two countries' armies will continue to develop further in the coming time, General Chalermphon Srisawasdi affirmed that Thailand will continue to support multilateral events organized by Vietnam.

View of the talks between the two delegations. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong and Senior Lieutenant General Chalermphon Srisawasdi agreed that in the coming time, the two sides will strengthen coordination, continue to effectively implement cooperation activities, making an important contribution to the good development of the Vietnam - Thailand enhanced strategic partnership, focusing on areas such as: Exchange of delegations at all levels, effectively maintaining existing cooperation mechanisms, and in the immediate future, doing well the preparation work for the 5th Vietnam - Thailand Defense Policy Dialogue scheduled to be held in Vietnam at the end of 2023; effectively maintaining cooperation in human resource training. Along with that, the two sides will strengthen cooperation between military branches and services; coordinate in the fight against drug crimes and cross-border human trafficking crimes; study the possibility of expanding cooperation in a number of potential areas in line with the needs and strengths of each side, such as sharing experience in border management and protection, combating illegal migration, preventing and combating drugs and transnational crimes; promoting responses to non-traditional security challenges, such as search and rescue, preventing and combating terrorism, and sharing military experience in poverty reduction; actively consulting and supporting each other within the framework of ASEAN military-defense cooperation; maintaining ASEAN's common stance on regional and international security issues. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong emphasized that Vietnam supports events organized by the Ministry of National Defense and the Royal Thai Army in 2024, such as the Defense and Security Exhibition, the 24th ASEAN Army Chiefs' Conference, and related activities. At the talks, the two sides exchanged views on the world and regional situation and issues of mutual concern. The two sides affirmed that, in the context of complicated developments in the world and the region, ASEAN-led mechanisms continue to promote their central role in the region, promoting dialogue and cooperation between countries within the bloc as well as external partners for peace, stability and development of the region; emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and resolving disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).