Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's Call With Thailand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Phumtham Wechayachai

19 February 2025

Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai held an introductory call this morning to reaffirm our shared commitment to the long-standing U.S.-Thailand alliance and over 192 years of friendship between our nations. The leaders discussed opportunities to strengthen the bilateral defense alliance, including expanding military exercises and deepening cyber and defense industrial base cooperation. The Secretary conveyed his appreciation for Thailand's support of U.S. presence in the region, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Thailand's military modernization and professional military education in the United States.