On 22 March 2026, H.E. Ms. Arjaree Sriratanaban, Ambassador of Thailand, attended a reception on board H.T.M.S. Naresuan at Fleet Base East in Sydney, hosted by Admiral Pairote Fuengjun, Commander‑in‑Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, on the occasion of H.T.M.S. Naresuan’s visit to Australia to participate in Exercise Kakadu 2026 and the International Fleet Review 2026, which also marks the 125th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy.

 

On this occasion, Ambassador Arjaree delivered her Opening Remarks highlighting the long‑standing and close defence relationship between Thailand and Australia, which has served as a key pillar of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries. She noted the importance of H.T.M.S. Naresuan’s participation in this year’s Exercise Kakadu and the International Fleet Review. She also underscored the opportunities for both sides to deepen cooperation amid the current global environment.

 

The event was attended by Mr. Naruchai Ninnad, Consul-General of Thailand to Sydney, the Defence and Air Attaché, the Army Attaché and the Naval Attaché, Team Thailand representatives in Australia, as well as distinguished Australian and foreign guests, including Mr. Luke Gosling MP OAM, Chair of the Australian Parliamentary Friends of Thailand and Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans Affairs and Northern Australia; Mr. Pablo Kang, First Assistant Secretary, Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr Robert Kok, Councillor, City of Sydney, as well as members of the diplomatic and consular corps. Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN, Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, and his spouse also dropped by during the event.