On 15 January 2024, the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, together with the Office of the Military Attachés hosted a reception on the Royal Thai Armed Forces Day 2024 at Pullman Hotel Kuala Lumpur. H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, presided over the reception, by the presence of General Nuttawut Nakanakorn, Deputy Chief of Neighboring Countries Coordination Center, Army Operations Center, and the official Representative of the Royal Thai Army. The reception was jointly hosted by Colonel Nikom Tongkinkaew, Defense and Army Attaché, Captain Jirapong Apichatwong (RTN.), Naval Attaché, Group Captain Warawoot Krasaetanont, Air Attaché.

 

General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman, Chief of Defence Force, Malaysian Armed Forces, and the Guest of Honour, was accompanied by Malaysian dignitaries including Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman bin Ayob, Chief of Malaysian Navy, Lieutenant General Dato' Tengku Muhammad Fauzi bin Tengku Ibrahim, Deputy Chief of Malaysian Army, representing Malaysian Army, Lieutenant General Dato' Indera Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris, Deputy Chief of Malaysian Air Force, Lieutenant General Dato' Razali bin Alias, Director-General of the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO). Moreover, the Embassy received the honour of Ambassadors of the member countries of East Asia Summit (EAS) in Malaysia including Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, United States, and Viet Nam, and Dato’ Akmal Che Mustafa, Under Secretary for South East Asia Division, representing Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia as high-level guests, along with 200 participants including over 20 military attachés in Malaysia, private sector and Friends of Thailand in Malaysia.

 

In the opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador reiterated the significance of Armed Forces Day and the services rendered by the Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Air Force to the country, ranging from the protection of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the constitutional monarchy, to ensuring public order, assisting social and economic development programs as well as providing assistance in response to national disasters, while continuing to play an active role in United Nations peacekeeping operations. The contribution of which has enhanced the honour and prestige of Thailand and Thai people. The relations between Thai and Malaysian Armed Forces have always been at a cornerstone of Thailand - Malaysia relations, as neighboring countries, sharing extensive land and maritime borders. The year 2023 which marks the 66th anniversary of Thailand - Malaysia diplomatic relations, witnessed successful and frequent exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries, as well as close comprehensive military cooperation.

 

H.E. Ambassador expressed her appreciation to the Government of Malaysia and the Malaysian Armed Forces for the support to the Royal Thai Embassy, Office of the Defence Attaché, Office of the Naval Attaché, and Office of the Air Attaché. It is hoped that the strong military ties would bring about peace, prosperity and stability to the two nations and that collaborations between the two Armed Forces would contribute to the healthy development of Thailand - Malaysia relations.

 

The reception showcased the Royal Thai Armed Forces' annual activities and accomplishments, including exchange of military cooperation with Malaysian Armed Forces, various selection of Thai food, promotion of Thai Select restaurants, and photo booth, for instance.