RI, Thailand prepare joint special forces exercise

Indonesia and Thailand are preparing a joint special forces exercise as part of efforts to strengthen defense ties between the two countries. The plan was discussed by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Thailand's Defense Minister Adul Boonthumjaroen at the Indonesian Defense Ministry in Jakarta on Tuesday (4/8), a day after President Prabowo Subianto met Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Merdeka Palace. In addition to the exercise, the two sides are also encouraging officer exchanges, military education, personnel exchanges and defense industry cooperation under the Defense Cooperation Agreement. In the ASEAN context, Sjafrie said the two countries share an interest in maintaining regional stability, especially in the Malacca Strait, including through more coordinated patrols.