DIPLOMACY

THAI ARMY CHIEF RECEIVES MILITARY AWARD

17 Aug 2007

STORY // Gail Wan
PHOTO // Lum Ngia

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General (GEN) Sonthi Boonyaratglin, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Meritorious Service Medal (Military), by Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean at the Ministry of Defence on 17 Aug.

GEN Sonthi was conferred the award in recognition of his contributions in enhancing the strong ties between the Singapore Army and the Royal Thai Army.

The two armies interact regularly in a wide spectrum of activities, ranging from the bilateral Exercise Kocha Singa to other professional exchanges.

These engagements have enhanced the professionalism and strengthened the friendship and camaraderie between the officers and men of both armies.

Previous Royal Thai Army chiefs who received the Meritorious Service Medal (Military) in recent years include GEN Prawit Wongsuwon, GEN Chaisit Shinawatra and GEN Somdhat Attanand.

As part of his two-day visit, GEN Sonthi also called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana.

Mr Teo (left) presenting the Meritorious Service Medal (Military) to GEN Sonthi at an investiture ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence.

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