On Tuesday 18 May 2010 from 11.15 a.m. to 12.50 p.m., Ambassador Nopadol and Mrs. Anchulee Gunavibool, Mr. Monchai Patchanee, Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Nibhon Petchpornprapas, Minister-Counsellor, Mrs. Kanchana Wongsuwan, Minister-Counsellor (Labour Affairs) and Mrs. Chitrachawee Aroonrunglert, First Secretary, as well as the Navy and Army Attaches of the Royal Thai Embassy, took part in the conferment ceremony of the Distinguished Service Order (Military) or Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) by President S.R. Nathan on General Apichart Penkitti, Permanent Secretary for Defence, at the Istana.

Attending the ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minster Teo Chee Hean, Minister of State for Defence Khoo Tsai Kee, Permenent Secretary for Defence Chiang Chie Foo and senior military officers of the Singapore Armed Forces and the members of General Apichart’s party, comprising, among others, Mrs. Pornthip Penkitti and General Viddhavat Rakatanun, Director-General of Policy and Planning Office, Ministry of Defence.

The citation in the conferment ceremony reads: “In a succession of senior appointments and as the Thai Permanent Secretary for Defence since October 2008, General Apichart Penkitti has made significant contributions towards enhancing the bilateral defence relationship between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Singapore. Under General Apichart Penkitti's outstanding leadership and guidance, the close and longstanding ties between the defenceestablishments of our two countries have continued to grow from strength to strength. General Apichart Penkitti has played an important role in ensuring that the Singapore Armed Forces receives excellent support during its training in Thailand. Through General Apichart Penkitti's efforts in promoting closer cooperation, our two defence establishments have continued to engage in a broad spectrum of bilateral activities, including increasing the depth and scope of exercises and professional exchanges. As Permanent Secretary, General Apichart Penkitti has been instrumental in encouraging both our ministries of defence to work closely together in multilateral fora such as those within the ASEAN defence sectoral and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting. In recognition of his invaluable contributions and commitment to strengthening the excellent defence ties between the two ministries of defence and defence forces, thereby enhancing the close and longstanding relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Singapore, General Apichart Penkitti is awarded the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera).”