The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Admiral (ADM) Surasak Rounroengrom, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) [or the Meritorious Service Medal (Military)] by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Ministry of Defence this morning.

ADM Surasak was conferred the award in recognition of his significant contributions to enhancing the close cooperation and long-standing friendship between the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the RTN. Under his leadership, bilateral defence ties between the two navies have grown from strength to strength. The RSN and the RTN interact regularly through a wide spectrum of activities, including bilateral and multilateral exercises, port calls, professional exchanges, and the cross-attendance of courses. ADM Surasak has enhanced the cooperation between the RSN and the RTN on regional maritime security through the RTN’s participation in the Malacca Strait Patrols and the attachment of RTN liaison officers to the Changi Command and Control Centre at Changi Naval Base. ADM Surasak has also supported the attachment of RTN officers to the Singapore Armed Forces’ Combined Task Force 151 deployments in the Gulf of Aden, where both navies cooperated in counter-piracy operations.

ADM Surasak, who is in Singapore from 1 to 3 August 2013, called on Dr Ng, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng, and Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Ng Chee Peng prior to the investiture. ADM Surasak also inspected a Guard-of-Honour contingent at the Ministry of Defence this morning.