Kuala Lumpur, 17 January 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur joined the celebration of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Day hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy on 15 January 2024 at the Grand Ballroom, Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

 

The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) Day is a national day observed in Thailand annually every 18 th day of January to commemorate the victory of King Naresuan the Great in the legendary battle of 1593 and to highlight the role of the Thai military in safeguarding Thailand’s national security.

 

The Philippine Embassy was represented at the event by Ambassador-Designate H.E. Maria Angela A. Ponce, who was joined by Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col Joel Lobitaña. They were welcomed by the Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia H. E. Lada Phumas and Royal Thai Armed Forces officers of the Royal Thai Embassy in Malaysia namely, Defense Attaché Colonel Nikom Tonginkaew, Air Attaché Group Captain Warawoot Krasaetanont and Naval Attaché Captain Jirapong Apichatwong.

 

The Philippines has a robust defense cooperation with Thailand. As a fellow ASEAN Member State, the Philippines and Thailand collaborate through bilateral and multilateral initiatives, such as the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) and information and intelligence, exchanges that help in addressing terrorism and transnational crimes in our region.

 

Ambassador-Designate Ponce conveyed her congratulations to the Royal Thai Armed Forces, for its pivotal role, not only for the defense and security of Thailand, but also in the promotion of Thailand’s defense cooperation with other countries and maintaining international peace and security. END