BANGKOK, Thailand – Minister of Defense Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit has received Hayashi Teiji, ambassador of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for a courtesy call at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Bangkok. The Japanese official oversees issues related to Mekong subregion cooperation, public diplomacy, and global health.
The meeting comes as Thailand and Japan commemorate 139 years of diplomatic relations. The two countries maintain close ties across security, development, and international cooperation, with engagement spanning leadership, government agencies, and broader institutional channels.
Defense cooperation remains a key component of the bilateral relationship. Japan continues to provide training opportunities for Thai personnel, including cadet and command-and-staff courses. Thai forces also participate in the annual Cobra Gold multinational exercise, alongside other bilateral and multilateral defense activities.
The discussion also covered regional cooperation frameworks, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and efforts to support stability and sustainable development in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Rear Adm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, said the visit reaffirmed ongoing coordination between the two countries in advancing regional peace and security. (NNT)
