January 14, 2009
Bangkok - Thailand will join troops from the United States, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia in the annual war games on February 4-17.
About 11,600 military personnel from five nations will attend the so-called Cobra Gold exercises in Chiang Rai.
Peace-keeping and humanitarian operations will be emphasized. The event is the biggest one in the Southeast Asia.
About 7,300 troops will come from the United States to train 4,000 troops in Thailand.
106, 75 and 113 troops from Singapore, Japan and Indonesia respectively are going to join the military exercises.
Thailand will reportedly spend 40 million baht on the war games while the United States 113 million dollars.
Cobra Gold will prepare the Southeast Asian region to respond to natural disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the Cyclone Nargis which devastated Southern Myanmar last May, according to US Ambassador to Thailand Eric John.
