RTARF sends 273 engineers to S Sudan

RTARF commander-in-chief Gen Songwit Noonphakdi leads the send-off ceremony for military engineers heading to the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL
Gen Songwit Noonphakdi, the commander-in-chief of RTARF, directs the UN peacekeeping mission’s departure meeting. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL

The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF ) will send 273 engineers to support the United Nations Mission in South Sudan ( UNMISS), starting Sunday.

Gen Songwit Noonphakdi, RTARF commander-in-chief, led the send-off meeting for the second group of military officers on Thursday.

The group consists of 256 Royal Thai Army (RTA ) soldiers, including 28 female military personnel, and 17 RTARF personnel.

They may take their place, according to Gen Songwit, who left in July of last year.

The RTARF chief stated that the first group did depart on Sunday, and the rest did depart on September 6.

UNMISS is the UN’s security quest for South Sudan, which has been rifed by frequent protests since it gained its independence on July 9, 2011.

Gen. Songwit praised Thailand’s membership in an international peace force as a source of pride and honor, adding that this enlistment increases the level of knowledge and experience of Thai military personnel.

He added that international organizations, including the UN, have been evaluating the military professionals ‘ ability in Thailand.