Adib Noor
The Thai Embassy in Brunei Darussalam’s Defence Attaché Office was pleased to be able to once again commemorate the Royal Thai Armed Forces Day, after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was said by Thai Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Boosara Kanchanalai during the 431st anniversary of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Day celebration at Tarindak D’Seni yesterday.
Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan was the guest of honour.
The ambassador said the celebration is observed every January 18 to commemorate the courage and leadership of King Naresuan the Great who fought for the freedom and unity of the Thai kingdom more than 400 years ago.
The ambassador shared the ties between Thailand and Brunei’s armed forces.
“Thailand and Brunei have longstanding close bilateral defence relations which have continued to be strengthened through frequent exchanges between our two armed forces, the most recent being the visit of Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces General Chalermpol Srisawasdi to Brunei in August last year. We are also eager to welcome Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi in Thailand next month,” said the ambassador.
“A significant engagement in our bilateral defence relations is in military education exchange.
Currently, we have one Thai military officer enrolled in the Defence Academy and three officers studying at the training institute. Meanwhile, two Bruneian military officers are currently attending Thai Army Staff College and Squadron Officer School Course as well as another officer who will be attending the Royal Thai Navy Staff College next month,” she added.
She said this year, Thailand is highly anticipating progress in terms of navy talks as well as the Cobra Gold Exercise which is participated for the first time by the Sultanate and is currently taking place in Thailand.
“Thailand remains committed in enhancing bilateral defence ties with Brunei and will closely work with our counterparts to strengthen existing cooperation such as in education exchange as well as explore other new areas of cooperation such as in defence technology exchange,” she added.
The event also saw a cake-cutting ceremony by the guest of honour and the ambassador.
