The Philippine Army and the Royal Thai Army opened their 11th Steering Group Meeting in Taguig City as both sides moved to strengthen military cooperation, professional exchanges, and capability development amid evolving regional security challenges.
The meeting was held on May 27 at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, where senior Army officials from both countries discussed ways to sustain defense relations and improve coordination between the two Southeast Asian forces.
The Philippine Army said the steering group meeting serves as a platform for both armies to exchange best practices, review existing areas of cooperation, and explore new opportunities in training, capability-building, and regional security engagement.
Maj. Gen. Tawin Thesanathum, Deputy Director General of the Royal Thai Army’s Directorate of Operations, led the Thai delegation. Before the meeting, he paid a courtesy call on Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete.
The engagement forms part of the long-standing military cooperation between the Philippines and Thailand, anchored on the 1997 Memorandum of Understanding on Military Cooperation and the Army-to-Army Terms of Reference.
The Philippine Army said it remains committed to expanding ties with like-minded military organizations such as the Royal Thai Army, particularly in promoting regional peace, interoperability, and professional development.
The 11th Steering Group Meeting also underscored the importance of sustained dialogue between regional partners as armies in Southeast Asia adapt to shared security concerns, disaster response requirements, and the need for stronger institutional cooperation.