Commander of the Thai Defense Forces highly appreciates Vietnam's 'four no' defense policy

On the afternoon of July 4, at the invitation of General Nguyen Tan Cuong, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Minister of National Defense , a high-ranking military delegation of the Royal Thai Army led by General Songwit Nunphakdee, Commander of the Thai Defense Forces, paid an official visit to Vietnam from July 4-5, 2025.

General Nguyen Tan Cuong and General Songwit Noonpackdee review the Guard of Honor of the Vietnam People's Army. Photo: Tra Khanh.

After the official welcoming ceremony, the two countries' armies held talks. At the talks, the two sides discussed the world and regional situation. They affirmed that defense cooperation is one of the important pillars in the Vietnam - Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

General Nguyen Tan Cuong emphasized the important role of ASEAN in shaping and maintaining the regional security structure, promoting substantive cooperation among member countries, as well as between ASEAN and its partners. Vietnam consistently implements a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace , friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations, and persevering in its "four no's" defense policy.

General Nguyen Tan Cuong and members of the Vietnamese delegation at the talks. Photo: Tra Khanh.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Vietnam emphasized its consistent stance of persistently striving to resolve all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); international and regional commitments such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and supporting the early signing of a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) in a practical and effective manner.

Emphasizing that Vietnam attaches importance to cooperative relations with ASEAN countries, including Thailand, for peace, stability and development of the region and the world. Expressing his delight at witnessing that the defense cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand has been promoted by both sides in recent times, becoming increasingly in-depth, practical and effective, especially in areas such as: Exchange of delegations at all levels; effective maintenance of cooperation mechanisms, including the Defense Policy Dialogue mechanism; human resource training; exchange of officers at all levels; cooperation between military branches and services; consultation and mutual support at multilateral forums and cooperation frameworks.

Regarding the direction of cooperation in the coming time, the two sides are requested to continue to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels; effectively promote existing cooperation mechanisms; promote substantive and effective cooperation between military branches and services, especially law enforcement forces at sea; cooperate in training and other potential areas; continue to closely consult and support each other at multilateral mechanisms, forums and international events organized by each side.

General Songwit Noonpackdee and members of the Thai delegation at the talks. Photo: Tra Khanh.

At the meeting, General Songwit Nunphakdee, Commander of the Thai Defense Forces, highly appreciated Vietnam's "4 no's" defense policy, hoping that in the coming time, the two sides will continue to maintain and promote the agreed cooperation contents. The focus is on defense industry cooperation, thereby contributing to making the Vietnam - Thailand defense cooperation relationship increasingly effective, in-depth and substantive.