On 22 August 2026, H.E. Mrs. Arunrung Phothong Humphreys, Ambassador of Thailand to Sweden, and her spouse, Mr. Liam Jackson Humphreys, welcomed Gen. Tharapong Malakam, Permanent Secretary for Defence, and his spouse, Mrs. Sasithorn Malakam; and Air Chief Marshal Sakesan Kantha, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, and his spouse, Mrs. Apisada Kantha, together with their delegations, at the Residence. Also attending the dinner were Defence and Air Attaché and Acting Defence Attaché and officials of the Royal Thai Embassy.

During the dinner, the Ambassador exchanged views with the Permanent Secretary of Defence and the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force on a wide range of issues, including ways to further strengthen Thailand-Sweden defence and security relations; Thailand’s defence policies and strategies; and security developments in the Asia Pacific region and Europe. The meeting was fruitful and productive, including for advancing Thailand-Sweden cooperation in these areas. Defence cooperation is an important dimension of the enhanced Thailand-Sweden Strategic Partnership.

Gen. Tharapong Malakam and his spouse were visiting Sweden to exchange views on security issues and promote defence cooperation between Thailand and Sweden, at the invitation of Mr. Peter Sandwall, State Secretary to the Minister for Defence of Sweden. The visit also included a visit to SAAB’s facilities in Linköping, at the invitation of Mr. Lars Tossman, Senior Vice President and Head of the Aeronautics Business Area at SAAB.

Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal Sakesan Kantha, together with his spouse and delegation, visited Sweden to attend the Swedish Air Force Centennial Air & Space Power Symposium and the Centennial Air Show, marking the 100th anniversary of the Swedish Air Force.