General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Royal Thai Armed Forces, called on Gen Bikram Singh, Chairman Chief of Staff Committee (COSC) & the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on 30 Jun 2014 in his office. The CDF is an extremely important position not only in the Thai Army but also in the overall power structure in Thailand. Important strategic facets of common concern and issues of convergence on security were discussed.
General Tanasak Patimapragorn arrived in India on a four day visit on 28 Jun 14. The General is accompanied by a nine member delegation. This visit by the Thailand Chief of Defence Staff assumes special significance in the light of enhanced defence cooperation between the two countries and India’s growing relationship with Thailand. The friendship between India and Thailand is based on common ideals and principles, arising from a significant legacy of historic links, common culture, and a shared interest in peace and stability in our region.
The general discussion with Indian authorities covered a wide range of fields including overall security situation, regional issues and steps to further the defence engagement between the two nations. Defence cooperation between the two Armed Forces has been vibrant, encompassing training, joint exercises and visits by military delegations. The visit by the high powered delegation led by General Tanasak is bound to cement our bilateral relations as Thailand constitutes the strategic bridge between South and South East Asia and is vital in the development of peace & prosperity in the region. It is bound to give impetus to the multifarious increasing defence cooperation activities between the two inseparable neighbours. A banquet was also hosted by Gen Bikram Singh, Chairman COSC & the Chief of Army Staff on 30 Jun 2014, in the Army Battle Honours Mess, in honour of General Tanasak Patimapragorn and his delegation.