Pentagon hands Prawit visit invite

The US Department of Defence has invited Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon for an official visit to Washington DC later this month, a source at the Defence Ministry said yesterday.

It is the first invitation extended by the US to Gen Prawit, who is also deputy prime minister. It follows Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s official visit to the US at the invitation of US President Donald Trump in October last year.

According to the source, the Pentagon has sent an invitation for an April 21-26 visit which will include trips to US army camps for the defence minister and his delegation.

Gen Prawit is expected to take senior officers from the three armed forces with him.

“This [the invitation to Gen Prawit] reflects that Washington has accepted the regime and has invited Thai security authorities for a visit. The US is restricted by law from providing full cooperation to the country, but the military ties remain unaffected,” said the source.

According to the source, Gen Prawit will seize the opportunity to discuss possible assistance and support the US government may extend to the Thai armed forces which have purchased weapons from the US in the past.

Meanwhile, the Thai and US navies are gearing up for the upcoming 2018 Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) exercise, a source in the navy said.

Capt Thamrong Supanpong, chief-ofstaff of the 2nd Frigate Squadron, Royal Thai Fleet, and Capt Alexis T Walker, commander of Destroyer Squadron 7, recently finalised preparations for the annual drill in Chon Buri.

The Carat training involves a broad range of naval activities including surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, air defence, amphibious warfare and maritime security operations.

A “Guardian Sea” exercise will also be conducted involving a US submarine and Thai surface vessels, including the aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet and the frigates HTMS Taksin, and HTMS Naresuan.

Thailand has been part of the programme since its launch in 1995. This year Carat training takes place between June 12-21.