On 23 January 2025, Mr. Piyapak Sricharoen, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and General Kantapoj Setharatsamee, Director-General of the Defence Policy and Planning Department, Ministry of Defence, co-chaired the 15th Japan - Thailand Politico - Military / Military - Military Consultations (PM/MM) at the Ministry of Defence. The co-chairs on the Japanese side were Mr. Miyamoto Shingo, Director-General of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Mr. Terada Hiroyuki, Director of the Indo-Pacific Regional Policy Division, Defense Policy Bureau, Ministry of Defense of Japan.

This year’s PM/MM was considered significant as it was the first time to be elevated and convened at the Director-General level. This is due to the importance that both sides have attached to this mechanism with a view to strengthen security relations and enhance strategic coordination between the two countries. The meeting discussed ways to promote bilateral security cooperation, as well as exchanged views and perspectives on regional and global security issues of mutual concern. In addition, the Thai side also organised a site visit for participants at the Armed Forces Development Command Disaster Relief Training Center in Chachoengsao Province,in order to provide more information in support of Thailand - Japan cooperation in the area of disaster relief.

The PM/MM is an important mechanism for security consultations and defense cooperation between Thailand and Japan. It has been regularly convened at the Deputy Director-General level since 1998, with both countries alternating as host. The mechanism has served as a valuable platform for both sides to promote better understanding of security policies, manage various forms of threats, and enhance regional stability.