Thai PM Bestows Honour on Prabowo, Calling Him an 'Iconic Military Figure'

President Prabowo Subianto has been awarded a military honour by the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described Prabowo as an iconic figure within Thai military circles. The honour was conferred during PM Charnvirakul’s state visit to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday (3/8/2026). The award consisted of a beret and an armed forces pin.

PM Charnvirakul revealed that before departing for Indonesia, he first sought a briefing from senior Royal Thai Army officials. From that briefing, he observed the high regard the Thai military holds for Prabowo. ‘Before making this trip, I asked senior Army officials to give me a briefing. They told me that you are truly an iconic military figure,’ PM Charnvirakul said before Prabowo.

PM Charnvirakul added that many young Thai generals greatly admire Prabowo. He even recounted that these generals wanted to join his delegation on the visit to meet Prabowo. As a token of respect from the Royal Thai Armed Forces, PM Charnvirakul then stated he had brought a medal of honour to present to Prabowo. ‘I have brought a number of medals that our Army wholeheartedly wishes to present to you, because you are a military figure they deeply respect,’ he said.

Furthermore, PM Charnvirakul stressed that the close bilateral relationship in the defence sector would continue to be strengthened through joint military exercises, information exchange, and maritime security cooperation. PM Charnvirakul also noted he was aware that Prabowo had once undergone training with the Royal Thai Special Forces while serving in the Indonesian Special Forces. ‘I am also very pleased to learn that His Excellency the President once trained with the Royal Thai Special Forces when serving in the Indonesian Special Forces,’ he said.

On the same occasion, Prabowo expressed his highest appreciation to the Thai government for the honour. ‘I also wish to express my highest appreciation to His Excellency and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand for the honour from the Royal Thai Armed Forces to be bestowed upon me. This award was unexpected, and I consider it a reflection of the trust, friendship, mutual respect, and close relations between Indonesia and Thailand,’ Prabowo said.