The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Prajin Juntong, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) [or the Meritorious Service Medal (Military)], by President Tony Tan Keng Yam. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the award to ACM Prajin at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon. 

ACM Prajin was conferred the award in recognition of his outstanding contributions in promoting the excellent defence ties between the RTAF and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The relationship between the RSAF and the RTAF has deepened under ACM Prajin's leadership. Both air forces interact frequently through cross-attendance of courses, professional exchanges, and exercises including the annual RSAF-RTAF Combined Exercise and the trilateral Exercise Cope Tiger.  These interactions have enhanced the inter-operability and strengthened the institutional and people-to-people links between the two air forces.

ACM Prajin, who is in Singapore from 17 to 19 December 2013, had earlier called on Dr Ng and Chief of Air Force Major-General Hoo Cher Mou before the investiture. ACM Prajin also inspected a Guard-of-Honour contingent at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon. ACM Prajin will visit 144 Squadron tomorrow, and will attend the opening ceremony for Exercise Cope Tiger on 19 December 2013.