Vietnam - Thailand defense cooperation has gradually deepened and achieved practical results.

On the evening of December 18th, at the Athanee Hotel in Bangkok, the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand and the Office of the Vietnamese Defense Attaché in Thailand solemnly held a ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2024) and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day (December 22, 1989 - December 22, 2024).

Photo caption — *Ambassador Pham Viet Hung speaks at the ceremony. Photo: Do Sinh/VNA*

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Bangkok, attending the ceremony to congratulate the Vietnam People's Army were General Adinan Chaiyarerk, Second Deputy Secretary, and General Tharapong Malakam, Third Deputy Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Defence , along with numerous representatives from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence, and Ambassadors and Defence Attachés of friendly countries in Thailand. On the Vietnamese side were Ambassador Pham Viet Hung, Vietnamese Defence Attaché in Thailand - Colonel Pho Trieu Cuong; staff of the Embassy, the Defence Attaché Office, and other affiliated agencies, as well as the Vietnamese expatriate community and students living, studying, and working in Thailand. Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung stated that 80 years ago, on December 22, 1944, following the directive of Leader Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Army - the predecessor of the Vietnam People's Army today - was established. Inheriting and promoting the patriotic spirit and the unique military art of the Vietnamese nation, and with the support of international friends, over 80 years of building, fighting, and maturing, the Vietnam People's Army has continuously developed and grown stronger, always demonstrating the character of a revolutionary army, originating from the people, fighting for the people, and worthy of being a special political force, an absolutely loyal and trustworthy fighting force of the Party, State, and People of Vietnam. Recalling the glorious achievements in the struggle for national liberation, building and defending the Fatherland throughout the glorious 80-year history, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung emphasized that entering a new era, the Vietnam People's Army continues to uphold its heroic traditions, constantly improving its overall quality, strength, skills, and combat readiness, further enhancing the noble image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers," closely bound to the people... The image of officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army, regardless of sacrifice, present on the front lines against the COVID-19 pandemic, immersed in storms and floods to help people overcome the consequences of natural disasters, and conducting search and rescue operations... vividly demonstrates the army's affection and responsibility towards the people, earning their trust and love. Ambassador Pham Viet Hung stated that the Party and State's designation of December 22, 1989, as the National Defense Day reflects both the inheritance of the Vietnamese nation's tradition of fighting invaders and defending the country, and further affirms the Vietnamese Communist Party's viewpoint that the entire population participates in building and defending the Fatherland, with the People's Armed Forces as the core. On this occasion, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung once again affirmed that Vietnam's national defense is a people's defense, peaceful and self-defensive in nature; actively, proactively, resolutely, and persistently preventing and repelling the threat of war. The Vietnamese Party and State advocate for economic and social development linked to national defense, security, and foreign relations; closely coordinating defense and security activities with foreign relations. The Vietnam People's Army always proactively promotes international integration and defense diplomacy on both bilateral and multilateral levels, achieving practical results. Actively participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations, cooperating internationally in non-traditional security areas, providing humanitarian assistance, search and rescue, and addressing the consequences of war, making a worthy contribution to building a peaceful, stable, cooperative, and developing environment in the region and the world.

Also at the ceremony, Colonel Pho Trieu Cuong, Vietnam's Defense Attaché to Thailand, emphasized that defense diplomacy has become one of the pillars of the Party's foreign policy and State diplomacy, an important channel for building and strengthening strategic trust, building and developing friendly relations between Vietnam and other countries and international organizations, contributing to enhancing the position and prestige of the country, its people, and the Vietnam People's Army. Regarding defense and military cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand in recent years, Colonel Pho Trieu Cuong stated that the two sides have maintained and promoted cooperation, which has developed and expanded in many fields, gradually deepening and achieving practical results for the benefit of both countries. The two sides continue to maintain high-level delegation exchanges, strengthen cooperation in education, military branches, intelligence, and cooperation between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Thai Maritime Command Center (THAI-MECC). In the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony, delegates watched films showcasing the history of the Vietnam People's Army's development, combat, and growth; the development of Vietnam's defense industry; and traditional songs about the Vietnam People's Army.

* Earlier that same day, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung and Defense Attaché Pho Trieu Cuong saw off the delegation from the Thai Ministry of Defense, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Phumtham Wechayachai, along with many generals and high-ranking officials from the Thai Ministry of Defense, at the airport as they traveled to Vietnam to attend the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army. Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/hop-tac-quoc-phong-viet-nam-thai-lan-tung-buoc-di-vao-chieu-sau-dat-duoc-hieu-qua-thiet-thuc-20241219141216522.htm