Randall Schriver, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, visited Thailand November 29-30, 2018 to co-chair the 5th bilateral Defense Strategic Talks with Thai counterparts at the Ministry of Defense.
During his visit, Assistant Secretary Schriver met with senior Thai officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, Chief of Defense Forces General Ponpipaat Benyasri, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy PermSec Paskorn Siriyaphan.
The 5th Defense Strategic Talks between Thailand and the United States underscored the importance of the U.S.-Thai alliance, continued close military-to-military ties with the Kingdom of Thailand, and the U.S. commitment to advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
According to Assistant Secretary Schriver, “Thailand is a key U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific, a friend for two hundred years, and security partner for nearly 65 years. This enduring and long-standing relationship will continue. The 5th Defense Strategic Talks with my counterpart General Natt Intracharoen included exchanges on key bilateral and regional areas of cooperation, such as maritime security and exercise Cobra Gold.
We discussed the future of this important alliance so that it remains well-positioned to address the 21st century we face together.”
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