After a 20-year personal and professional association, Thailand Peace Operations Director Major General Chumphot Nurakkate is still proud to call Australia his second home.
Major General Nurakkate confirmed his fondness for Australia during the recent visit from ADF and Australian Government members to Thailand as part of Exercise Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023.
“From a personal side, Australia is my second home. I took my course at the CDSS [Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies] in Canberra for one year and I brought my whole family there,” he said.
“That is where my family and I first had a taste of Australia. This has continued for my family, with my daughter currently studying at the University of Queensland. She will graduate at the end of the year.
“On a business side, I was the first officer to be seconded to the Australian Peace Keeping Centre almost 20 years ago.
“I have also worked with Australian counterparts during Exercise Pirap Jabiru back in the year 2002 and then subsequent exercises.”
Major General Nurakkate said he had built many personal friendships during his time working closely with Australian counterparts.
“Recently, I was contacted by a former senior Australian military officer who I had worked with as part of a bilateral exercise in 2006,” he said.
“He came to Thailand with his wife to visit me and my colleagues because of the relationship we had built during the period of the exercise.”
While Major General Nurakkate’s posting as Thailand Peace Operations Director will draw to a close soon, he said he was looking forward to watching the strong partnerships between the Thai and Australian militaries grow.
“Thailand and Australia are very proud of the joint exercises and the partnerships they have forged over the years,” he said.
“While my term here is almost over, I hope that this partnership will continue on forever.
“I greatly appreciate the assistance that Australia provides. On a personal note, I will be taking a course in Australia next month for a course. It will be just like the old days.”
