France, SKorea to boost military ties with Thailand

BANGKOK, January 14 (TNA) - Top French and South Korean envoys say their countries are ready to enhance and strengthen military cooperation with Thailand. French Ambassador H.E. Gilles Garachon and South Korean Ambassador H.E. Noh Kwang-il aired the stance during their separate meetings with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan at the Ministry of Defence in Bangkok on Thursday. Defence Ministry Spokesman Major General Khongcheep Tantrawanich told journalists that the French top envoy in Bangkok first led his delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Thai deputy premier on the auspicious occasion of the 160th anniversary of the French-Thai diplomatic relations this year. The spokesman stated that France and Thailand have kept close military relations, exchanged visits and developed military cooperation relating to training, education and weaponry procurement from France and the cooperation will further expand, especially on information exchange. During the meeting, the spokesman noted, the Thai deputy premier also expressed gratitude for France's understanding and support for the Thai government's work to sustain democracy in the country. According to the spokesman, the South Korean top envoy later led his delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Thai deputy premier, during with both sides agreed to further develop their countries' military relations, covering training, education and the exchange of visits by commanders and other high-level military officers, with a military committee to be formed to facilitate the exchange, as well as relations in all other fields, including trade and investment. (TNA)