BANGKOK - Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited with one of the oldest U.S. treaty allies in the Pacific during a visit to Bangkok, Thailand Oct 11 – 13.
Adm. Aquilino was hosted by Gen. Chalermpol Srisawat, Chief of Defense Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, and later met with Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Royal Thai Government House Oct. 11.
“The people of the U.S. and Thailand have been connected as treaty allies for over two centuries,” Aquilino said. “I’m thankful for the hospitality extended to me by the Prime Minister and the Chief of the Defense Forces, and the discussion on regional security and our common values.”
While in Bangkok, Adm. Aquilino joined U.S. Embassy Bangkok Chargé d'affaires Michael Heath for a ceremony Oct. 12 in which Aquilino presided over the donation of 200 refrigeration units from the U.S. to Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul. The refrigeration units will be distributed across 114 public hospitals and clinics throughout the country.
“The United States and Thailand are working together to keep our people safe from COVID,” Aquilino said. “Our alliance continues to play a crucial role in advancing our shared values and interests across the Indo-Pacific region.”