After laying a
wreath to pay respect to Thai marines who died during service, Adm.
Masahiko Sugimoto salutes active-duty personnel for their support after
the March 11 earthquake.
Patcharapol Panrak
The commander of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense
Force thanked Royal Thai Marines for their financial support in the
aftermath of March’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.
During an official visit to Prince Chumphon Camp June
11, Adm. Masahiko Sugimoto laid a wreath to pay respect to marines who
died during service and saluted active-duty personnel for their support
after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that officially left 23,000
people dead or missing.
Thai Marines Commander Vice Adm. Pongsak Phuriroj
noted that marines throughout Thailand made daily donations of 1 baht
from their salaries to raise 500,000 baht for Japanese disaster victims.
Rear Adm. Traikwan Krairuke, the marines chief of
staff, led a rifle salute for the Japanese commander and Pongsak
welcomed Sugimoto and posed for photos before adjourning to make a
presentation about the Thai Marine Corps’ mission.
The vice admiral said Sugimoto’s visit will help create closer ties
between the Thai Navy and the Japanese self-defense forces.
