Royal Thai Army Chief Receives Prestigious Military Award

Chief of Army, Royal Thai Army, General (GEN) Narongpan Jittkaewtae (centre) was presented the Meritorious Service Medal (Military) by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (left) at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this afternoon.

Chief of Army, Royal Thai Army (RTA), General (GEN) Narongpan Jittkaewtae, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) [MSM(M)], by President Halimah Yacob. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the award to GEN Narongpan at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this afternoon.

GEN Narongpan was conferred the award in recognition of his outstanding contributions in strengthening the close and long-standing bilateral defence ties between the RTA and the Singapore Army. Key bilateral exercises conducted under GEN Narongpan's leadership, such as Exercise Kocha Singa and Exercise Flash Thunder, as well as the conduct of regular high-level visits, cross attendance of courses, and professional exchanges have strengthened mutual understanding and fostered close friendships between personnel from both Armies.

On receiving the award, GEN Narongpan said, "I am greatly honoured to be awarded the MSM(M) from the Singapore government. Not only does the medal honour me, my family and the Royal Thai Army, it also symbolises the close ties between the Royal Thai Army and the Singapore Armed Forces. As an ASEAN member, the Royal Thai Army places the relationship and cooperation with the Singapore Armed Forces as a very high priority. I believe that we are close friends that can be relied on. The cooperation between us as well as all other ASEAN members' militaries is a very important foundation for security in this region."

GEN Narongpan is in Singapore from 8 to 10 February 2023. As part of his visit, he called on Dr Ng, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, and Chief of Army Major-General David Neo after inspecting the Guard of Honour at MINDEF. He also visited Kranji Camp III this morning where he received a brief on the Singapore Army's Motorised Infantry Brigade and had a hands-on session with the TERREX Simulator.

GEN Narongpan inspecting the Guard of Honour at MINDEF.

GEN Narongpan during his visit to Kranji Camp III this morning.