US army offers to train 8 Thai officers in leadership

The United States Army has offered eight Thai army officers the chance to undergo leadership training, 1st Army Region commander Apirat Kongsompong says.

The offer was made as the head of the US Army Pacific, Robert B Brown met Lt Gen Apirat at the 1st Army Region yesterday. Gen Brown is an official guest of the army, and is on a five-day visit scheduled to conclude today.

The visit reaffirms the deepening relations between the two armed forces, Lt Gen Apirat said, adding the talks touched on joint military drills to bolster capabilities and the training of military personnel.

He said the US had given the opportunity for the officers to undergo training in leading a small military unit, adding the selected officers would have the ranks of sub-lieutenant and lieutenant.

These junior officers would be selected from units in the 1st Army Region, such as the 1st Division, 2nd Infantry Division and the 9th Infantry Division as well as the 2nd Cavalry Division, King’s Guard, according to Lt Gen Apirat.

The officers would attend a 20-day training course in the US before returning to Thailand to lead small units in the southernmost provinces.

The course will train them to have vision, initiative and inspiration in their work and be able to boost their capabilities, Lt Gen Apirat said, adding that army commander Chalermchai Sittisart supports such training.

Gen Brown yesterday afternoon visited the 31st Infantry Regiment in Lop Buri, where he observed operations by the Rapid Deployment Force and the Special Warfare Command.

Lt Gen Apirat said Gen Brown’s visit reflects the US government’s recognition that the Thai government is running the country well, leading to a future election.

“The US has confidence in Thai politics and has adopted a better stance toward the government,” he said.