| Azrol Azmi |
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces yesterday received an audience from Chief of Defence Force of Royal Thai Armed Forces General Ponpipaat Benyasri at the Istana Nurul Iman.
The audience ceremony was held in conjunction with General Ponpipaat Benyasri’s introductory visit to Brunei Darussalam.
Also present at the ceremony were Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, and Chargé d’Affaires at the Royal Thai Embassy in Brunei Darussalam Rooge Thammongkol.
Brunei Darussalam and the Kingdom of Thailand have enjoyed excellent and longstanding relations, with defence and military aspects as a hallmark of the countries’ bilateral ties. Brunei Darussalam recently hosted Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand, who was in the country on a two-day study visit from October 31 to November 1 with a group of fourth-year cadets from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy of Thailand.
Both countries share extensive defence arrangements, where they interact regularly through numerous avenues, including exchange of visits, policy-level meetings, as well as military exchanges, exercises and courses between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
