After 23 years, on Nov 22, 2004, the two countries’ defense ministers signed a new 15-year MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) on bilateral military training and exchange of provisions between the Thai and Singaporean air forces. This important MOU was signed by then Thai Minister of Defense Gen Samphan Boonyanun who was appointed for a brief period toward the end of the first Thaksin administration. By signing the mou, this relatively unknown general, with seemingly no close ties to the Thai Rak Thai Party or the prime minister, committed an act of significant importance for the security of Thailand….
With the new MOU it seemed that the Thai Ministry of Defense was more aware of Thailand’s disadvantaged position under the previous agreement. This time Bangkok demanded more equal access to Singapore’s air-base facilities and air space, as well as to the transportation of military provisions.