Paying tribute to His Majesty late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, men and women in uniform of Thailand and the U.S., on Thai Armed Forces Day

His Majesty late King Bhumibol Adulyadej had a special connection with the United States and was a staunch supporter of the Thai-U.S. alliance throughout his reign. Without him, the alliance would not be as strong and enduring as it is today.

The message was conveyed by Ambassador Pisan Manawapat at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Day Reception, which he and his madam, together with Senior Colonel Phisit Likitsupin, Captain Chaiyong Khuntha and Group Captain Nattapol Niyomthai and their spouses hosted at Fort Myer, Virginia on February 9, 2017.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, W. Patrick Murphy, joined the event as Guest of Honor from the U.S. Government. He was joined by senior U.S. military officials, namely Major General Bradley Becker, Commanding General of Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington; Brigadier General Stephen Sklenka and Brigadier General Kevin Wulfhorst from the Department of Defense.

Ambassadors from ASEAN countries, officials from U.S. defense agencies, military attaches and other friends of Thailand also attended.

Ambassador Pisan also saluted men and women in uniform of Thailand and the United States who have forged a strong bond of friendship that will endure any test and challenge. Thai and American soldiers have stood by each other and had each other’s back. Today, they continue to train together in the air, at sea and on the ground, as partners in the maintenance of peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Ambassador Pisan said he is confident that the alliance would continue to advance and strengthen in the years to come under the reign of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

He conveyed his appreciation to President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter for their role in advancing the defense ties between the United States and Thailand, and between the United States and ASEAN.

Ambassador Pisan welcomed the importance that President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense General James Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Advisor Lieutenant General Michael Flynn attach to strengthening the ties with allies. He emphasized that Thailand is ready to work closely with the new U.S. administration to further strengthen the Thai-U.S. alliance going forward.

The visit of U.S. Pacific Commander Admiral Harry Harris to Thailand and the annual Cobra Gold exercise – the largest exercise in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, would further deepen the historic and mutually beneficial alliance between Thailand and the United States, added Ambassador Pisan.