By Prashanth Parameswaran
The two allies meet to discuss advances in their security relationship.
Thai and American military representatives are meeting this week at army headquarters in Bangkok to discuss the future of military cooperation between the two allies.
The Executive Steering Group (ESG) meeting features mid-ranking officials and addresses bilateral military cooperation and joint activities in 2015 and 2016. This is the fourth annual ESG; the first was held in 2012.
The talks are taking place amid uncertainty in the U.S.-Thai relationship. On the one hand, both sides have clearly been trying to mend ties strained following a coup last May, which forced Washington to suspend aid and cancel some exercises and exchanges (See: “Thai Junta Chief Blasts Top US Diplomat”). Thailand appointed a new ambassador to Washington in February, and the United States nominated one in April after a six month vacancy for the post (See: “US Nominates New Envoy to Thailand Amid Strained Ties”).
Yet there are still lingering doubts about the strength of bilateral ties. The United States has yet to release its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, which Thailand hopes will upgrade it from the bottom tier it found itself in last year despite remaining rights concerns. On the security side, Thailand’s decision to purchase three submarines from China and deport 109 Uyghurs to Chinese authorities – which Washington firmly condemned – have fed into a broader concern that the country’s generals are moving too close to China (See: “How Did China Just Win Thailand’s New Submarine Bid?”). Bangkok’s subsequent announcement that it had placed a hold on the deal has only aroused even greater suspicion about what might be at work (See: “Is China’s New Submarine Deal with Thailand Now in Peril?”).
Read the full story at The Diplomat