Thailand's former Permanent Secretary for Defence, General (GEN) Winai Phattiyakul, was conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) Distinguished Service Order (Military)], by President S R Nathan at the Istana this afternoon.

The Distinguished Service Order (Military) was awarded to GEN Winai in recognition of his outstanding contributions in enhancing the excellent defence ties between Singapore and Thailand. Under GEN Winai's leadership and guidance, the close and longstanding defence relationship between Singapore and Thailand has grown stronger. Through his many interactions with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), GEN Winai has helped to strengthen the friendship between the personnel of the SAF and the Royal Thai Armed Forces. During GEN Winai's tour of duty as Force Commander of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor from 2001 to 2002, SAF troops had served under his command and had benefited from it. GEN Winai also played an instrumental role in guiding the development of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting.

Among the guests present at the investiture were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, Minister of State for Defence Koo Tsai Kee, Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chiang Chie Foo, Chief of Defence Force LG Desmond Kuek, and senior government officials and military officers from Singapore and Thailand.

GEN Winai, who is in Singapore for a three-day visit from 21 to 23 Jun 2009, called on Mr Teo and Mr Chiang at the Ministry of Defence this morning.