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.
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.
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.
