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        Large Military Exercise Underway in Thailand Despite US Concerns

   by Steve Herman

   There are continuing tensions between Thailand's military junta, which
   seized power from the country's elected government last May, and the
   United States, which has called for the immediate end to martial law
   and a return to democratic rule. That has led to changes in an annual,
   multi-national military training exercise in the kingdom. At the Royal
   Thai Navy's U-Tapao airfield, this year's exercise saw troops carry out
   a mock mass evacuation of Japanese, American and Thai civilians.

   A devastating earthquake has struck in an Asian nation. Countries are
   anxious to rescue their traumatized nationals and get them out of
   harm's way. That is the scenario that played out at the tip of the Gulf
   of Siam on Sunday during the Cobra Gold military exercises.

   The annual multi-national drill, which has run for more than 30 years,
   this year involves some 6,700 participants and observers from 24
   nations.

   But the 2015 edition almost did not happen.

   The United States took a hard look at canceling after Thailand's
   military carried out another coup last year. In the end, Washington
   decided to scale back Cobra Gold.

   Gregory Poling, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and
   International Studies in Washington, said the United States wanted to
   send a nuanced message to Thailand. "It's one of still being a long
   term friend of Thailand, our longest-term ally in Asia, but also a sign
   of discontent with the coup," said Poling.

   Royal Thai Navy Rear Admiral Wannapol Glormgeao expressed relief Cobra
   Gold went ahead this year. However, he lamented the lack of a maritime
   landing component.

   The admiral said Thailand expresses thanks to every country
   participating, saying the exercise "is useful for each country to
   improve relationship-building and to exchange experiences."

   These simulations, he explained, are valuable for actual military
   operations.

   The U.S. military's mission commander for the civilian evacuation
   drill, Marine Corps Captain Hector Contreras, agreed.

   "If an actual operation comes up, humanitarian assistance/disaster
   relief, that type of scenario, we know we have partners in this region
   of the world like Thais, like Japanese, who can partner with us,
   strengthen our ability to help the local nationals," said Contreras.

   But will Cobra Gold put on this kind of show next year, especially if
   Thailand remains under military rule?  Analyst Gregory Poling at CSIS
   said that depends.

   "Washington is eager to see exactly when the [Thai] military plans to
   step back and is doing everything they can to try to make it absolutely
   clear that we're willing to balance on the ledge here for a little bit.
   But by late 2015, early 2016, we expect to see a return to democratic
   elections," said Poling.

   Proponents of continuing Cobra Gold say if the U.S. military chooses to
   disengage from Thailand, the junta could seek closer ties with China.
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   hailand-despite-us-concerns/2645653.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/large-military-exercise-underway-in-thailand-despite-us-concerns/2645653.html