A Royal Thai Navy ship paid a friendship call in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville, strengthening ties between military forces and giving Khmer officials a chance to air concerns about Cambodian workers.
The HTMS Narathiwat pulled into the Sihanoukville port May 21 with Rear Adm. Pradit Siricupt meeting with Cambodian Rear Adm. Ruwa Viyasana, who welcomed the Thai crew with flowers.
Top brass from both navies hold discussions in Sihanoukville.
A motorcade of five vehicles took the Thais to Sihanoukville City Hall where Pradit met with Deputy Mayor Pra Sridara. The two sides exchanged ideas and souvenirs to help strengthen the Thai-Khmer relationship.
The group then returned to port to visit the Ream Naval Base. Met by Vice Adm. Ukk Sai-aa, the Thais were welcomed with a military honor guard and the two sides enjoyed a reception.
The HTMS Narathiwat pulls into Sihanoukville Port on a friendship call to Cambodia.
During his meeting with Pradit, Ukk expressed concern about the plight of some Cambodian workers in Thailand who had entered the kingdom illegally or were the victims of human trafficking, such as those working on fishing boats.
Pradit assured his counterpart that the Thai navy vigorously patrols its territorial waters and checks many fishing boats to make sure their workers are free and legal, rescuing those who are there against their will.
