Thai Navy Ships on Goodwill Visit to the Philippines

By: LTCOL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Wednesday, 24 March 2010

Two ships of the Royal Thai Navy - HTMS TAKSIN and HTMS CHAOPRAYA are set to arrive in the Philippines today, 24 March 2010 for a five-day goodwill visit. The delegation headed by Squadron Commander Rear Admiral Kraisorn Chansuvanich, Royal Thai Cadet Training Unit’s Commander is composed of 70 officers, 239 enlisted men, 20 non-military rank personnel, and 236 naval cadets. The ships are commanded by Capt Samarn Khunthaphong and Capt Skye Bekanan. The Philippine Navy’s BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS36) will meet and escort the visiting ships in the vicinity of Corregidor Island, a time-honored tradition among navies.

Shortly after their arrival, the head of the delegation will pay a courtesy call to Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy at the Navy Headquarters in Roxas Blvd. The head of the Thai delegation will also lead the wreathlaying ceremony at the Luneta Park. Officers and personnel of the two navies will also see action during sports activities at the Jurado Hall, Naval Station Jose Francisco, Taguig City.

Slated in the next few days is a shipboard tour and familiarization of students from the Fleet Training Center, Cavite City. The Philippine Navy sees this as an opportunity for its students to optimize learning aboard state-of-the-art vessels now that PN is about to jumpstart its own modernization. The goodwill visit is also a good avenue to discuss with our Thai counterparts the possibilities for closer linkages such as mutual visits, exchange of subject matter experts and research analysts, and other similar activities that would contribute to a mutually beneficial relationship between the Philippine and Thai armed forces in the area of defense/military research.

The goodwill visit also gives opportunity for the Philippine Navy to strengthen ties with its Thai counterparts as both countries are working together in the common pursuit of maintaining peace and stability in the ASEAN region. It’s also a good venue to reiterate their commitment in combating terrorism and transnational crimes at sea, concerns which require a cooperative response among nations.