DKI APCSS Strengthens Ties with Thai Partners During July Visit

BANGKOK — July 2025

During a visit to Thailand in July, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) Director Suzanne Vares-Lum met with key Thai defense leaders, alumni and U.S. Embassy officials, reinforcing long-standing partnerships and advancing shared regional security goals.

A highlight of the trip was a senior alumni roundtable hosted by the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group Thailand (JUSMAGTHAI). The roundtable brought together nine distinguished Thai alumni of DKI APCSS programs. The discussion focused on the Center’s Fellows Projects, a new alumni mentoring initiative, and regional security developments.

Three alumni volunteered to become mentors for future Fellows, and the Thai Alumni Association offered to take an active role in recruiting and matching mentors with current Fellows—demonstrating a strong commitment to the Center’s educational mission and leadership development goals.

Participants included: Gen. (Ret.) Thanakorn Thongsuk (ASC 12-1); Vice Adm. (Ret.) Gosol Triyakun (EC 98-1); Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Parinya Chaidilok (EC 07-2); Air Chief Marshal (Ret.) Poomjai Leksuntarakorn (TSC 22-2); Senior Col. Nat Kanchanahoti (CSRT 11-1, CCM 17-1, ASC 18-2), director of Border Strategic and Cooperation Development Division, Border Affairs Department, Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters; Senior Col. Thanita Wongjinda (CSC 24-1, CSC 25-1), training expert, Strategic Studies Center, National Defence Studies Institute; Rapeepan Nophirun (CSRT 15-1), director of Directorate 9 (Foreign Cooperation), Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand; Pumi Pumimathawat (CSC 23-3), staff to Directorate 9 (Foreign Cooperation), Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand; and Warisa Intaratana (ASC 18-2), plan and policy analyst, Maritime Security Division, National Security Council.

Joint Branch Chief Lt. Col. John Ellerbe also participated in the session, which highlighted the value of continued alumni engagement in regional capacity building.

Director Vares-Lum also met with U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec. Ambassador Godec praised DKI APCSS programs for their role in supporting capacity building and strengthening the regional network of allies and partners.

Another key engagement took place with Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee, Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Director Vares-Lum reaffirmed the Center’s commitment to the U.S.-Thailand alliance and expressed appreciation for Thailand’s enduring support for DKI APCSS programs. She presented Gen. Songwit with a gold lanyard in recognition of his honorary alumni status and contributions to the Thai Alumni Chapter.

The visit also included a meeting with Maj. Gen. Naruedom Suriyakomol, head of the Defence Industry and Energy Centre (DIEC). Discussions centered on the new Multilateral Armaments Resiliency Seminar (MARS) and Thailand’s interest in participating in future sessions. Maj. Gen. Naruedom voiced support for strengthening the defense industrial base through multilateral cooperation and information sharing.

These engagements underscore DKI APCSS’ ongoing efforts to support regional security, promote leadership development, and deepen multilateral collaboration with key partners like Thailand.