Top Military Award Conferred on Thai Chief of Defence Forces

Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces General (GEN) Chalermphon Srisawasdi with President Halimah Yacob after receiving the Distinguished Service Order (Military) award at the Istana.

The Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) General (GEN) Chalermphon Srisawasdi was conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) [Distinguished Service Order (Military)], by President Halimah Yacob at the Istana this afternoon.

GEN Chalermphon was conferred the award for his significant contributions towards enhancing the close and longstanding defence relationship between the RTARF and the Singapore Armed Forces. Under his leadership, both armed forces forged closer ties and rapport through professional engagements and collaboration. These include military exercises such as Exercise Kocha Singa, Exercise Cope Tiger and Exercise Singsiam, as well as collaboration in areas of maritime security and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) through the Malacca Straits Patrol, Information Fusion Centre and the Changi Regional HADR Coordination Centre.

Guests at the investiture included Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral (VADM) Aaron Beng, as well as other senior government officials and military officers from Singapore and Thailand.

GEN Chalermphon, who is in Singapore from 4 to 6 July 2023, also called on Dr Ng and VADM Beng, and inspected a Guard of Honour at the Ministry of Defence earlier today. During the calls, both sides reaffirmed the close and long-standing bilateral defence ties.

GEN Chalermphon(left) called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) earlier today.

GEN Chalermphon inspected the Guard of Honour at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon.