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Ministry of Defence
News Releases

Top Military Award Conferred on Thailand's Labour Minister and former Permanent Secretary for Defence

15 October 2015

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President Tony Tan Keng Yam congratulating Thailand's Minister of Labour and former Permanent Secretary for Defence General (GEN) (Rtd) Sirichai Distakul, after conferring the Distinguished Service Order (Military) on him at the Istana this afternoon.

President Tony Tan Keng Yam congratulating Thailand's Minister of Labour and former Permanent Secretary for Defence General (GEN) (Rtd) Sirichai Distakul, after conferring the Distinguished Service Order (Military) on him at the Istana this afternoon.

Thailand's Minister of Labour and former Permanent Secretary for Defence General (GEN) (Rtd) Sirichai Distakul was conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) [Distinguished Service Order (Military)], by President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Istana this afternoon.

GEN (Rtd) Sirichai was conferred the award for his significant contributions in enhancing the excellent defence ties between Singapore and Thailand during his tenure as Thailand's Permanent Secretary for Defence from October 2014 to October 2015. Under GEN (Rtd) Sirichai's leadership, both defence establishments interacted frequently through regular high-level visits, professional exchanges, and military exercises. GEN (Rtd) Sirichai also strengthened bilateral defence cooperation, such as through Thailand's accreditation of a Liaison Officer to the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC), which has helped both countries work closer to deal with natural and humanitarian disasters in our region. GEN (Rtd) Sirichai has also deepened cooperation between Singapore and Thailand in multilateral and regional platforms such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus.

Guests at the investiture included Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung, Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chan Yeng Kit, as well as senior government officials and military officers from Singapore and Thailand.

GEN (Rtd) Sirichai, who is in Singapore from 14 to 16 October 2015, also called on Mr Ong and Mr Chan at the Ministry of Defence this morning

GEN (Rtd) Sirichai calling on Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung at the Ministry of Defence this morning.

GEN (Rtd) Sirichai inspecting the Guard of Honour contingent at the Istana.

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