President Prabowo Subianto Awarded Thai Special Warfare Command Medal, Marking First Award of Red Beret to Foreign Head of State

President Prabowo Subianto Monday (08/03) received a military honor from the Kingdom of Thailand, namely the Special Warfare Command Medal of the Royal Thai Army.

The award was personally presented by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during his official visit to Merdeka Palace in Jakarta recently.

In addition to the medal, the President also received accompanying insignia: a red beret symbolizing the Thai Special Forces and an airborne aiguillette, an ornamental cord representing courage, operational readiness, and honor.

This is the first time a foreign head of state has been awarded the Thai Special Forces’ red beret.

In a joint press statement, Prime Minister Anutin said that President Prabowo is a soldier highly respected by the Thai armed forces. He added that the military honor was conferred on the President as a mark of respect for his service to the nation.

“Therefore, the Thai armed forces presented President Prabowo Subianto with a memento as a sign of respect,” said Prime Minister Anutin.

Upon receiving the award, President Prabowo Subianto expressed his deep appreciation to the Royal Thai Government for the honor bestowed upon him. He said the award reflects the trust and close ties between the two nations.

“This award was unexpected, and I see it as a reflection of the trust, friendship, mutual respect, and close ties between Indonesia and Thailand,” the President said.

The conferral of this honor underscores the close and steadily growing relationship between Indonesia and Thailand, not only in diplomacy and the economy, but also in defense and military cooperation, built on mutual respect, mutual trust, and a friendship that has developed over decades. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of the Presidential Secretariat) (EP/TM)