The Thai Chief of Defence Forces General (GEN) Sommai Kaotira 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 Sommai was conferred the award for his significant contributions in forging closer ties between the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Under his leadership, defence cooperation between our two armed forces has strengthened through a wide range of bilateral and multilateral activities such as Exercise Kocha Singa, Exercise Cope Tiger, Exercise Cobra Gold, and most recently, the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Maritime Security and Counter-Terrorism Exercise in May 2016. GEN Sommai also played an instrumental role in facilitating military-to-military interactions through the exchange of visits and cross attendance of courses. These interactions have enhanced mutual understanding and personal friendship between the personnel from both armed forces.

Guests at the investiture included Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Perry Lim, as well as senior government officials and military officers from Singapore and Thailand. As part of his visit, GEN Sommai called on Dr Ng and LG Lim at the Ministry of Defence this morning. GEN Sommai's visit from 2 to 3 August 2016 underscores the close and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and Thailand.