ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) SAIF with embarked Z9EC helicopter visited Pattaya (Thailand) from November 16 to 21 for participation in the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and International Fleet Review (IFR-2017) organised by Royal Thai Navy (RTN).
Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) Rear Admiral Zakaur Rehman represented the chief of the naval staff during this event. During the stay at Pattaya, FOST called on senior naval officials from RTN and other dignitaries including RTN Deputy Commander in Chief Admiral Luechai Ruddit, Thailand Minister of Defence General Prawit Wongsuwon and Chief of Malaysian Navy Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarul Zaman Bin Haji Ahmad Badaruddin.
During these interactions, Zakaur Rehman congratulated Thai authorities on ASEAN’s 50th anniversary and also conveyed well wishes from the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi to the people of Thailand in general and Royal Thai Navy in particular.
During ship’s stay at Pattaya, PNS SAIF Commanding Officer Captain Shahzad Iqbal called on Royal Thai Fleet Commander Admiral Rangsarit Sattayanukul, Police Major General Anan Charoenchasri, mayor of Pattaya and met other senior military officials.
IFR-2017 was one of the major events for celebrating the golden jubilee of ASEAN’s establishment in which 36 warships from 19 different navies participated. Furthermore, 19 naval chiefs and 15 representatives of naval chiefs also participated in this mega event.
PNS SAIF represented Pakistan Navy on this occasion on the invitation of RTN commander-in-chief. During the stay, PN officers and men also participated in different activities including city military parade at Pattaya beach.