SATTAHIP, THAILAND – A reception aboard the South Korean landing ship ROKS Nojeokbong visibly deepened the close partnership between the Royal Thai Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy during the Cobra Gold 2026 exercise.
Reception Highlights Bilateral Naval Ties
On 21 February 2026, Rear Admiral Etam Yuwanangkool, commander of the Air and Coastal Defence Command (ACDC) of the Royal Thai Navy, attended an evening reception aboard the ROKS Nojeokbong (LST-689) together with his wife Arisara Yuwanangkool. The South Korean landing ship was moored at Chuk-Samet Pier in Sattahip district, Chonburi province, one of the central bases of the Thai Navy.
Part of Cobra Gold 2026 Framework
The reception formed part of the participation of the Republic of Korea Navy in the multinational exercise Cobra Gold 2026, scheduled from late February to early March. The exercise regularly brought together armed forces from several countries in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on amphibious operations, joint training and the deepening of regional security cooperation.
Focus on Military Cooperation and Readiness
According to the parties involved, the evening aboard the Cheon-Wang-Bong-class vessel provided a targeted opportunity to further expand the already close and enduring cooperation between the two navies. Discussions centred on strengthening bilateral military cooperation in areas such as maritime security, naval operations and joint readiness in the face of regional threats.
Warm Atmosphere and Regional Significance
The hosts described the mood during the reception as warm and friendly, underlining the long-standing ties and long-term military partnership between the armed forces of both countries. The encounter was also regarded as an example of how multinational exercises like Cobra Gold foster and consolidate interoperability and mutual trust among participating states in the Indo-Pacific region.