Sonthi given top Singapore military award

Singapore – Singapore yesterday awarded its top military honour to outgoing army chief and chairman of the Council for National Security Sonthi Boonyaratkalin.

Gen. Sonthi received the Meritorious Service Medal for his role in enhancing “strong ties”between the Thai and Singaporian armies, the Defence Ministry here said.

Gen. Sonthi had previously angered Singapore when he suggested the Citystate could be using telecom satellites Thailand had sold Singapore to eavesdrop on private conversations of the Thai military.

He ordered military officials to give up their cell phones in favour of walki-talkies to prevent any espionage, and suggested the Thai government should take back the four satellites.

However, he later admitted the accusations against Singapore were simply part of a strategy to try and stir the Thai people into becoming more protective about the country’s assets>

Singapore had strongly denied the eavesdropping allegations, but yesterday praised Gen. Sonthi for his contributions to enhancing military links. AFP

Source: Bangkok Post – Thailand, August 18, 2007

Collected by Antoni P. Uni, Thailand 22-8-2007

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