Thai junta leader gets military Singapore award
Singapore - The commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, received on Friday a prestigious military award from Singapore Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean.
The Meritorious Service Medal was awarded to Sonthi in recognition of his contributions toward enhancing the strong ties between the Singapore and Thai armies, the defence ministry said in a statement.
Sonthi had previously angered Singapore when he suggested that the city-state could be using telecom satellites Thailand had sold Singapore to eavesdrop on private conversations of the Thai military.
He ordered military officials to give up their cell phones in favor of walkie-talkies to prevent any espionage, and suggested the Thai government should take back the four satellites.
Singapore had strongly denied the eavesdropping allegations.
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From the Thai newspaper THE NATION: 17 Aug 07
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/17/headlines/headlines_30045460.php