DKI APCSS Partners with Thailand for SSSP 2026 Leadership Program

BANG SAEN, Thailand — Strengthening Indo-Pacific partnerships, the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) played a central role in Thailand’s Senior Security Studies Program (SSSP 2026) from June 15 to June 19.

The Royal Thai Armed Forces’ Strategic Studies Center (SSC), under the National Defence Studies Institute (NDSI), hosted the five-day executive development course. The program, which included 40 participants, focused on equipping senior leaders to navigate an era of geopolitical uncertainty and complex security challenges.

Air Vice Marshal Chaiya Oakdaeng, SSC director, welcomed participants before Lt. Gen. Rawin Charoenchai and U.S. Defense Attaché and Chief of JUSMAGTHAI Col. Timothy Peterman officially opened the week’s events.

Throughout the week, a robust delegation of DKI APCSS faculty delivered lectures and facilitated strategic foresight exercises tailored for the senior executive audience.

Dr. Lucas Filler opened the U.S. presentations with a lecture on the global security landscape, later returning to dive into the emerging realms of the AI Sentinel program and quantum technology. DKI APCSS lead Dr. Virginia Bacay Watson guided participants through complex practical exercises focusing on strategic foresight and futures thinking.

Additionally, Dr. Srini Sitaraman provided extensive insights on economic security, while Maj. Patrick Moran, USMC, co-presented a session on Defense Industrial Base cooperation and challenges in the Indo-Pacific alongside JUSMAGTHAI’s Lt. Col. Joel Johnson.

The DKI APCSS team was joined by prominent Thai experts, including Dr. Dam Sukonthasap (Institute of Strategic Policy) and Mr. Kavi Chongkittavorn (Chulalongkorn University), who addressed regional defense challenges and ASEAN security dynamics.

To foster practical application of the lectures, participants divided into seminar groups to tackle modules on strategic outlooks, technology, and defense industrial bases. The program also prioritized relationship-building through team sports and a community beach cleanup at Bang Saen Beach.

The week concluded with comprehensive group presentations and a certificate ceremony presided over by Lt. Gen. Nirut Duangpanya, representing the NDSI Commandant, who also awarded tokens of appreciation to the visiting faculty and seminar advisors.