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The Australian Defence Force has pushed for closer ties with Thailand during a port visit by the Anzac Class frigate, HMAS Perth, to Sattahip as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2024 (IPE24).
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Commanding Officer Perth Commander Ben Dalton welcomed distinguished guests, including the director of Naval Intelligence Vice Admiral Nattapol Diewvanich, Australian ambassador to Thailand Angela Macdonald, and Commander IPE24 Commodore Michael Harris, onboard Perth for an official reception.
Official reception guests also included representatives from Canada, France, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Turkey, the US and South Korea.
CDRE Harris used his speech to emphasise Australia’s commitment to deepening regional partnerships.
“As Australia’s flagship regional engagement activity, IPE will help bolster the Australia-Thailand relation, and importantly, facilitate the development of those crucial people-to-people relationships,” CDRE Harris said.
“Thailand is a valued partner and friend in the region. Australia and Thailand have a longstanding, broad and deep defence partnership, and our defence cooperation is a key pillar of our strategic partnership.”
The Australian ambassador to Thailand affirmed the Commander of IPE’s sentiment.
“HMAS Perth’s visit to Thailand as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 24 has not only enhanced our already strong people-to-people links, but also demonstrates that Australia is a trusted, committed and reliable partner to Thailand and south-east Asia,” Macdonald said.
Perth’s port visit also included official calls to the Royal Thai Fleet Headquarters and the Sattahip Naval Base.
CDRE Harris and CMDR Dalton led a delegation from Perth to meet with the Chief of Staff to the Royal Thai Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Arpha Chapona, to thank them for hosting IPE24 and reaffirm Australia and Thailand’s longstanding regional partnership.
The discussions centred on the importance of the close relationship between the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Australian Navy. The event also served as a reunion between Perth’s Operations Officer Lieutenant Commander Lachlan Marsh and his ADF Academy classmate Lieutenant Benz Phanurak, who was a member of the Thai Fleet Command’s delegation.
“The reunion serves as yet another example of our strong friendship and our shared interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” CMDR Dalton said.
IPE24 returns to Thailand in October for information exchanges, including personnel management, maritime law, aviation safety education and sports trainer workshops.
