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Ministry of Defence
News Releases

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy Receives Prestigious Military Award

7 August 2025

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral Jirapol Wongwit, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) [MSM(M)], by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing (left) presenting the Meritorious Service Medal (Military) to the Commander-in-Ch
Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing (left) presenting the Meritorious Service Medal (Military) to the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Admiral (ADM) Jirapol Wongwit (middle) at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) earlier today.

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Admiral (ADM) Jirapol Wongwit, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) [MSM(M)], by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing presented the award to ADM Jirapol at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this morning.

ADM Jirapol was conferred the award in recognition of his contributions in strengthening bilateral defence ties between the RTN and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Under ADM Jirapol’s leadership, both navies expanded collaboration in new areas of mutual interest and strengthened interoperability, notably through the inaugural participation of an RSN vessel in Exercise Cobra Gold in March 2025 and the co-signing of a revised Memorandum of Understanding to enhance white-shipping info-sharing between both navies. ADM Jirapol also placed strong emphasis on deepening mutual understanding and trust between both navies through regular bilateral interactions, including Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks, mutual port calls, and cross-attendance of courses.

ADM Jirapol is in Singapore from 6 to 8 August 2025. As part of the visit, ADM Jirapol called on Mr Chan, Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng and Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat after inspecting the Guard of Honour at MINDEF earlier today.

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