4 December 2010 -- In a ceremony held on Saturday, 4 December at Bangkok's military airport, Thailand sent off a battalion consisting of 812 personnel to the African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

The deployment of "Taskforce 980" is Thailand’s first major contribution to United Nations peacekeeping since its deployment to Timor-Leste several years ago. The contingent, consisting of companies of combat engineers, infantry, armour and support, will be the first non-African infantry battalion deployed to UNAMID.

Against the backdrop of the plane that would carry the first batch of troops to Nyala, South Darfur, that evening, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva asked the battalion to perform its duties with patience, determination and sacrifice. He then presented, together with the Ministers and Permanent Secretaries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, the Chief of Defence Forces and the Chiefs of the armed services branches, each personnel with an amulet and garland.

Assistant Secretary-General for Field Support Anthony Banbury, who attended on behalf of the United Nations, thanked Prime Minister Vejjajiva for Thailand's renewed engagement in UN Peacekeeping and wished the departing troops well.

The deployment of this battalion marks an increased interest of Thailand to contribute and maintain its support to United Nations peacekeeping.