Royal Thai Navy Chief Receives Prestigious Military Award

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen congratulating Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy ADM Kraisorn Cahnsuvanich after the MSM(M) investiture at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Admiral (ADM) Kraisorn Chansuvanich, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) [or Meritorious Service Medal (Military)], by President Tony Tan Keng Yam. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the award to ADM Kraisorn at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this afternoon.

ADM Kraisorn was conferred the award for his significant contributions in enhancing the close and long-standing ties between the RTN and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Under ADM Kraisorn's leadership, bilateral defence relations between the RTN and the RSN have strengthened. Both navies interact regularly through a wide spectrum of activities, including professional exchanges, port calls, the cross-attendance of courses, and bilateral and multilateral exercises such as the biennial bilateral exercise codenamed Ex Singsiam. ADM Kraisorn also supported cooperation between the RTN and the RSN on maritime security through the RTN's participation in the Malacca Strait Patrols, the attachment of Thai naval officers to the Singapore Armed Forces' Command Task Force 151 Command Team and Task Group deployments as well as the attachment of liaison officers to the Changi Command and Control Centre at Changi Naval Base. These interactions have enhanced interoperability and strengthened the institutional and people-to-people links between the two navies.

ADM Kraisorn, who is in Singapore from 30 to 31 July 2015, had called on Dr Ng, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng and Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Lai Chung Han prior to the investiture. ADM Kraisorn also inspected a Guard of Honour contingent at MINDEF this morning.

ADM Kraisorn inspecting the Guard of Honour at MINDEF.