BOLKIAH GARRISON, Wednesday, 21 November 2018 – The Minister of Defence II, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, today received a courtesy call from the Chief of Defence Force, Royal Thai Armed Forces, His Excellency General Ponpipaat Benyasri. He is in the country for his introductory visit to Brunei Darussalam from 21 to 22 November 2018.
Upon arrival at the Bolkiah Garrison, His Excellency General Ponpipaat Benyasri was accorded with a Guard of Honour comprising personnel from the Royal Brunei Land Force.
During the call, Yang Berhormat Pehin highlighted the close and long-standing bilateral relationship bolstered through regular exchange of visits, dialogues, meetings, military exercises, courses, defence exhibitions and the various forms of development and interaction programmes. Both defence establishments have cooperated extensively over the decades. The Minister of Defence II also congratulated His Excellency on his appointment and expressed hopes to progress both countries’ defence relationship further.
His Excellency General Ponpipaat Benyasri also called on the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud. Both armed forces interact regularly through bilateral and multilateral exercises, professional exchanges, and courses, which has enhanced the professionalism and interoperability of both armed forces.
His Excellency General Ponpipaat Benyasri was appointed as Thailand’s Chief of Defence Force on 01 October 2018. Prior to his appointment, His Excellency General Ponpipaat Benyasri was the Chief of Joint Staff, Royal Thai Armed Forces.
KETUA TURUS PERTAHANAN THAILAND BUAT KUNJUNGAN PENGENALAN DI NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
BOLKIAH GARISON, Rabu, 21 November 2018 – Menteri Pertahanan II, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (Bersara) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, hari ini menerima kunjungan hormat daripada Ketua Turus Pertahanan, Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Thailand, Tuan Yang Terutama Jeneral Ponpipaat Benyasri. Jeneral Ponpipaat Benyasri berada di Negara Brunei Darussalam pada 21 hingga 22 November 2018 untuk kunjungan pengenalan beliau ke negara ini.
Sejurus tiba di Bolkiah Garison, Tuan Yang Terutama Jeneral Ponpipaat Benyasri disambut dengan perbarisan kawalan kehormatan yang terdiri daripada anggota Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei.
Semasa kunjungan tersebut, Menteri Pertahanan II menyatakan mengenai hubungan dua hala yang rapat di antara kedua buah negara yang telah diperkuatkan melalui pertukaran lawatan, dialog, mesyuarat, latihan tentera, kursus, pameran-pameran pertahanan dan pelbagai program interaksi dan pembangunan. Kedua-dua institusi pertahanan telah bekerjasama dalam tempoh berdekad lamanya. Menteri Pertahanan II turut memberi ucapan tahniah di atas pelantikan Tuan Yang Terutama Jeneral Ponpipaat Benyasri dan berharap hubungan baik di antara kedua negara akan terus dijalinkan.
Tuan Yang Terutama Jeneral Ponpipaat Benyasri juga mengadakan kunjungan muhibah ke Pemerintah Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei, Mejar Jeneral Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud. Kedua-dua angkatan tentera berinteraksi secara kerap menerusi latihan dua hala dan juga pelbagai hala, pertukaran profesional, dan kursus, yang mana telah meningkatkan profesionalisme dan interoperabiliti di antara angkatan tentera.
Tuan Yang Terutama Jeneral Ponpipaat Benyasri telah dilantik menjadi Ketua Turus Pertahanan pada 01 Oktober 2018. Sebelum ini, beliau merupakan Ketua Turus Bersama, Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Thailand.