Singaporean naval personnel took time off from this year’s Cobra Gold exercise to rebuild an autistic children’s center at Sattahip’s Khao Bai Sri School.
Royal Thai Navy Rear Adm. Chochat Krathet, director of this year’s Cobra Gold war games, joined Singapore Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sam Abey and Khao Bai Sri Principal Ketsra Phuaknang at the completion ceremony for the Sampan Community Project Feb. 18.
Khao Bai Sri Principal Ketsra Phuaknang (left) thanks Singapore Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sam Abey for his help in rebuilding the school.
Thai Capt. Thiti Nawanukhrao, chief organizer for Cobra Gold, said the Sampan project was aimed at giving foreign participants in the games an opportunity to engage in beneficial activities and help develop communities to promote better relationships and image amongst soldiers and citizens.
For the autism center, the troops rebuilt the facility and repaired equipment to provide a quality education.
Abey stated his delight in working with Cobra Gold 2012 in Thailand, his amazement at witnessing many things, particularly, the pure kindness and welcome from Thai people, and a chance to work with the Thai forces in the Sampan Community Project.
Chorchat said the cooperative project shows the strong relationship between the two countries. He praised and thanked all the personnel that participated before turning over the new facility to the students.
