Vietnam, Thailand to create new momentum for defense ties

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Gen. Phan Van Giang met with Lieut. Gen. Adul Boonthumjaroen, Thai Minister of Defense in Hanoi on June 8, as the latter accompanied Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul on an official visit and attendance at the third ASEAN Future Forum.

Expressing pleasure at the deepening and comprehensive development of Vietnam-Thailand relations over the past 50 years of their diplomatic ties, Giang said the May 2025 upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, along with Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's official visit to Thailand in May, stands as a vivid testament to the strong relationship and provides fresh momentum for bilateral defense ties.

He noted that defense ties have delivered substantive results, including frequent high-level and all-level delegation exchanges, well-maintained dialogue and consultation mechanisms, cooperation among military services, branches, and maritime law enforcement forces, as well as training and mutual support at multilateral forums and international events hosted by each side.

Adul, for his part, highly valued the effective defense ties with Vietnam. He wished that both sides would continue working closely together and effectively deliver on cooperation areas to further bolster the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The host proposed the two sides push forward with key cooperation areas, including delegation exchanges at all levels, particularly those at high level; continued dialogue and consultation mechanisms; training, military and maritime law enforcement exchanges, cybersecurity, and defense industry.

The Vietnamese and Thailand delegations attend a meeting chair by Prime Ministers of the two nations in Hanoi, June 8, 2026. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

With Vietnam and Thailand sharing extensive adjacent maritime areas, he said coordination in maintaining maritime order and timely support for fishermen is vital, and called for more information sharing, joint patrols, professional exchanges, and cooperation on non-traditional security challenges between the two countries' maritime law enforcement forces.

On this occasion, Giang invited Adul, along with leaders of Thai Ministry of Defense and the Royal Thai Armed Forces, to the third Vietnam International Defense Expo in Hanoi in December 2026, and said Thai defense companies are welcome to attend.