H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, received the Thai delegation led by H.E. Mr. Sutin Klungsang, Minister of Defense of Thailand, at the opening ceremony of 18th Defence Service Asia 2024 and 3rd National Security Asia 2024, between 6 – 9 May 2024, at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.

 

On 6 May 2024, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, presided over the opening ceremony for the first time, under the theme “Building Resilient Nations for the Next Generation,”. He emphasized Malaysia’s role as an important player in the defense industry, the development of technological and innovation capabilities, as well as international cooperation to address new challenges from global security threats.

 

The Minister of Defence of Thailand met with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, together with YAB Dato Sri Haji Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition of Malaysia, YB Dato’ Haji Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Minister of Defence of Malaysia, YB General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman, Chief of Defence Forces of Malaysia, YB Tuan Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil, Minister of Communications of Malaysia, as well as Foreign Ministers from various countries including Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. After the opening ceremony, The Minister of Defence of Thailand visited the exhibition booths including the display of military equipment by Chaiseri Metal and Rubber Company Limited, a Thai arms manufacturing company.

 

The Thai delegation includes General Songwit Noonpackdee, Chief of Defence Forces, General Suksan Nongbualang, Deputy Army Chief, representing the Royal Thai Army Chief, Admiral Worawut Pruksarungruang, Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Navy, representing Royal Thai Navy Chief, Air Chief Marshal Aram Sakulkaew, Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Air Force, representing the Royal Thai Air Force Chief, General Sanitchanog Sangkachantra, Permanent Secretary for Defence, Police Major General Niwate Arpawasin, Deputy Commander of Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, representing the Royal Thai Police, and Mr. Saransak Srikruanet, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, representing the Permanent Secretary for Interior.

 

Thailand is scheduled to host the 12th Defense and Security 2025 under the theme “Power of Partnership” during 10 – 13 November 2025 at the IMPACT Arena exhibition center, Muang Thong Thani, the leading military technology equipment exhibition in ASEAN hosted biennially by the Thai Ministry of Defense of Thailand. The event is also an opportunity to expand networks between government and business (G2B) to drive promotion of the Thai and international defense industry.