Prawit chairs opening of International Fleet Review 2017

Prawit chairs opening of International Fleet Review 2017

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon opens International Fleet Review 2017, hosted by the Thai navy at the Dusit Thani Pattaya Hotel in Pattaya, on Sunday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon opens International Fleet Review 2017, hosted by the Thai navy at the Dusit Thani Pattaya Hotel in Pattaya, on Sunday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

CHON BURI: Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Sunday morning presided over a reception for guests attending the opening of International Fleet Review 2017, hosted by the Thai Navy at the Dusit Thani Pattaya Hotel in Pattaya.

The fleet review and related activities are being held between Nov 13-22 to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Gen Prawit delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

Admiral Naris Prathumsuwan, commander of the navy, said the event is a result of the 8th meeting of the Asean navy commanders in Bangkok, which passed a resolution for the Thai navy to host the International Fleet Review to mark the 50th founding anniversary of Asean.

This was approved by the cabinet on Jan 28, 2015. All activities related to the event are being held in Pattaya and nearby areas, with the goal of promoting Thailand's image as a tourist destination.

The International Fleet Review itself takes place on Monday in Pattaya Bay on the upper Gulf of Thailand. A total of 40 ships will participate; 15 from Thailand and 25 from 19 other countries. Other activities will include the 1st Asean Multilateral Exercise and the 11th Asean Navy Commanders' Meeting.

Gen Prawit's appearance at the reception was his first since disappearing from view on Tuesday. 

He reportedly looked unwell, being supported by his guards and responding very slowly to reporters' questions.

Gen Prawit, however, insisted he was in good health. He said he had been on leave for a few days but did not say whether he had travelled abroad.

Gen Prawit refused to answer questions about a cabinet reshuffle and a report that Gen Chanchai Changmongkol had resigned as a National Legislative Assembly member in order to join the cabinet. 

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