Naveed Ahmad Khan Photo by Raja Farid
Islamabad: As a major player in South Asia, Pakistan can play a crucial role in ensuring peace and security in the region amidst the current global volatility.’
The Thai Ambassador expressed these remarks while speaking on the occasion of the Thai Armed Forces Day. Lt. General Muhammad Aqeel, Inspector General Communication and Information Technology, Pakistan Army, was the chief guest. ASIAN countries Ambassador, High commissioner, Defense Attaches media person and others attended the event.
The Ambassador of Thailand to Pakistan, Chakkrid Krachaiwong, marked the enduring friendship between Thailand and Pakistan during the celebration of Thai Armed Forces Day, acknowledging over 70 years of diplomatic relations.
The Ambassador Krachaiwong commended Pakistan as a pivotal player in South Asia, recognizing its potential to play a crucial role in maintaining regional peace and security amid global volatility. Lt. General Muhammad Aqeel, Inspector General of Communication and Information Technology, Pakistan Army, presided as the chief guest in honor of the occasion.
Colonel Thanaei Permpul, the Defence and Military Attaché of Thailand shared insights on the importance of military and security cooperation between the two nations. Expressing gratitude to the Pakistani government for its hospitality towards foreigners, Ambassador Krachaiwong highlighted positive experiences, expressing optimism about deepening ties between the defense and military attachés and envisioning a continued contribution to global well-being.
Colonel Thanaei Permpul acknowledged Lt. General Mohamed Aqeel for gracing the occasion and emphasized the strategic significance of Pakistan and Thailand within the region. He proposed leveraging their strategic locations for mutual benefit, emphasizing the potential for enhanced military collaboration.
In his speech, He said Both Pakistan and Thailand enjoy their strategic location on their region. You can imagine if we can join these advantages, it will be able synergize our power.
That is why we established the Diplomatic Relations since 1951 and both Participate in the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization or SEATO in 1954.
Decades passed.
Colonel Thanaei said “we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation in 2021, the MoU envisions cooperation in the fields of defense and security policy, exchange of information, training, joint exercises, and research and development in defense technology”.
For the Defence Forces, Thailand keep sending Military Officers to the mission UNMOGIP. Pakistan and Thailand established Joint Exercise on Counterterrorism named Trisul. And last year, we also have a senior staff talk.
In the Training and Education, we exchange training courses in many levels.
The Royal Thai Army sent a team from Special Warfare Command to participate 6th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition-2023.
We got Silver Medals. And we are sending a new team to participate 7th PATS Competition-2024. There is also Intelligence Exchange with Pakistan Intelligence Community.
For the Navy, we are extending our cooperation on Maritime Operation,visiting of High Rank Commanders and sending observers to AMAN exercise 2023 in Karachi. Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Participate in Indian Ocean Naval Symposium hosted by Thailand. We also have Naval Staff Talks in Thailand.
For the Air Force, we exchange the visit of the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force and Pakistan Chief of Air Staff.
And for the Defence Production, we exchange some products. Also, Pakistan sends high rank delegates to Defence and Security Expo in Thailand and Thailand sends high rank delegates to IDEAS in Pakistan.
MSG Thanawat Salitul and Master Chanmetha Permpul present the Krabi Krabong Performance. Colonel Thanaei informed that Krabi-Krabong or Sword and Club which is Thai original performance. Thai people live peacefully but we fight bravely. So, we practice for self defence. Krabi or monkey represents all short weapons and Krabong or giant represents long weapons. By the vision to preserve this Thai art, all high school students learn Sword and Club for Physical Training Class. So, it is in our blood. There are also these performances by youth everywhere in Thailand. Look at the Elephant back warfare, the two-handed swordsmen are doing their role in protecting the elephant’s legs of the king.
We start with salutation for 3 times, first for our own religious, second for our king, and the last one for our parents and teachers.
Then we salute to 4 directions which is four Noble Sentiments. One, the desire for others to be happy. Two, Desire for others to be free from suffering, three, Joy when others do well and four, knowing how to let go and keep the mind neutral.
Next, we do the teacher salutation dancing. We are always respect to out teacher. In addition, if the adversaries are dancing in the same posture. It means they have a same teacher and they will not fight.
Then, we do salutations again before the duels. The walk was transformed into the two sides staring at each other’s tricks. It is about reading each other’s minds and controlling each other before fighting.
Now the boy uses the elder weight to make him imbalance.
Now the elder can find the weak of the boy.
Excellences, ladies and Gentlemen, we always ends our practice with apologize.
The event commenced with the national anthems of Pakistan and Thailand, followed by the cutting of a special cake by the esteemed guests, including Ambassador Krachaiwong and Colonel Permpul. Captivating cultural performances by Thai children received widespread applause from the audience.
The celebration aimed to honor the bravery of men and women in uniform, recognizing their sacrifices and acknowledging the crucial support of their families. Ambassador Krachaiwong concluded the event with optimism, expressing confidence in the continued deepening of cooperation and friendly ties between the defense and military attaches of Thailand and Pakistan for the greater good of the global community.