U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Meets Thai Defense Minister to Strengthen Military Cooperation

Washington–Bangkok, October 31, 2025: U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that he held a constructive meeting with Thai Minister of Defence General Nattaphon, focusing on deepening the long-standing military alliance between the United States and Thailand.

In a statement shared on social media, Secretary Hegseth emphasized that both nations are committed to strengthening interoperability, enhancing collaboration within the defense industrial base, and expanding joint training in emerging domains such as cyber, space, and maritime security.

“The United States and Thailand share decades of defense partnership. We’re now entering a new phase of cooperation that ensures regional stability and strengthens our ability to respond to modern security challenges,” Hegseth said.

The Secretary also recognized the historic signing of the Kuala Lumpur (KL) Accords last week — an agreement hailed as a significant diplomatic breakthrough under President Donald J. Trump’s administration. The accords aim to promote peace through strength and reinforce U.S. engagement with Indo-Pacific allies in maintaining balance and peace in the region.

Defense analysts note that the meeting reflects Washington’s continued commitment to its Indo-Pacific strategy, especially amid growing regional tensions and increased Chinese military activities in the South China Sea.