NAY PYI TAW May 31
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing left Nay Pyi Taw Airport for Thailand this morning to sign the book of condolences for demise of President of Privy Council General Prem Tinsulanonda and was seen off at the airport by Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Mya Tun Oo and senior military officers, Thai Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Mrs. Suphatra Srimaitreephithak and officials.
On arrival at Don Muang Airport (Wing-6) of Royal Thai Air Force in Bangkok, Thailand, the Senior General was welcomed by Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Myo Myint Than, General Peerapong Maungboonchoo of the Office of the Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Myanmar Military Attaché (Army, Navy and Air) Brig-Gen Khin Zaw and senior military officers from the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
The Senior General and party, on their arrival at the Office of the Privy Council, were welcomed by Chief of Defence Forces General Ponpipat Benyasri of Royal Thai Armed Forces, Acting Secretary General of the Office of the Privy Council Mr. Krit Garnjana Goonchern and senior military officers of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. The Senior General and senior military officers paid tribute to the picture of President of Privy Council General Prem Tinsulanonda and signed the book of condolences.
Then, the Senior General replied to questions raised by the reporter from Bangkok Post on remembrances for the demise of the President of Privy Council.
The Senior General then visited Wat Benchamabophit Monastery where he was welcomed by Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army General Apirak Kongsompong. The Senior General and the Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces together with senior military officers from the two countries paid respect to the body of the President of the Thai Privy Council.
President of the Privy Council of Thailand General Prem Tinsulanonda joined the Royal Thai Army Academy at the age of 21. At 39, he became a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee while discharging military service. He was an outstanding military officer as well as parliamentarian, member of the Advisory Council of Prime Minister, Deputy Minister and Minister. He served as Prime Minister for two terms from 1980 to 1988. After he had rejected the third term for Prime Minister, he was appointed as President of the Privy Council of Thailand for many years. Throughout his service, he tried his best for the development of Thailand. He also had close relations with Myanmar Tatmadaw leaders and tried to strengthen the friendship between the two armed forces of the two countries.
In the afternoon, the Senior General and party left Wing-6 of Don Muang Airport of Royal Thai Air Force and arrived back at Nay Pyi Taw Airport in the evening. They were welcomed back by Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and senior military officers.
