News Story: Thailand-US military exercise kicks off

Bangkok (VNA/NNT) – Around 725 Thai soldiers and 683 American troops are taking part in the Hanuman Guardian joint military exercise 2017 in Kanchanaburi province of Thailand. 

Held at the 9th Infantry Division headquarters, the joint military exercise is hosted by the Royal Thai Army and the US Army Pacific.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: US, Thai generals discuss military cooperation

Bangkok (VNA) – General Robert Brown, head of the US Army Pacific, met with General Chalermchai Sitthisart, commander of the Royal Thai Army, in Bangkok on June 5.

This was a rare top-level meeting between the two militaries since the United States criticised a Thai military coup in 2014.

The United States and Thailand have had a relationship since 1833. The two countries have exchanged ideas on military cooperation, the Thai army said in a statement.

The visit to Thailand by General Robert Brown, who is also director of the US Missile Defence Agency in Seoul, comes as the United States looks to reassure allies about its commitment to the region.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

USA: U.S., Thai Defense Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Alliance

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2017 —Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Thailand's deputy defense minister, Gen. Udomdej Sitabutr, today reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the 184-year-old U.S.-Thai alliance and exchanged views on regional and bilateral security issues during a bilateral meeting in Singapore, Navy Cmdr. Gary Ross, a spokesman for Mattis, said. 

The two defense leaders met on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major annual forum for key leaders in the Asia-Pacific region.

Continuing Contributions to Security

"They reviewed the broad range of U.S.-Thai defense cooperation and Thailand's continuing contributions to regional security," Ross said in a statement summarizing the meeting.

Mattis and Udomdej also discussed ways to continue strengthening the defense trade relationship, he added. The secretary invited Udomdej to visit Washington, and extended an invitation to Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan to visit as well, Ross said.

US DoD

USA: US, Royal Thai Navy get underway for Guardian Sea

From Destroyer Squadron 7 Public Affairs

The USS Sterett (DDG 104) moves into position ahead of RSS Intrepid (FFS 69), HTMS Naresuan (FFG 421) and USS Coronado (LCS 4) during a maneuvering exercise as part of a multilateral Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise between the U.S. Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy and Royal Thai Navy, May,11. (U.S. Navy/MCS3 Deven Leigh Ellis) >>

ANDAMAN SEA - The U.S. Navy and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) are executing Guardian Sea, an anti-submarine and maritime domain awareness exercise, in the Andaman Sea May 22-28.

The bilateral exercise focuses on strengthening U.S. Navy and RTN anti-submarine warfare (ASW) procedures and proficiency through symposia, planning discussions, personnel exchanges and at-sea events.

Representing the U.S. Navy at Guardian Sea is the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104), a Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine and a P-3C Orion. Staff from Commander, Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7 will participate while embarked onboard U.S. ships and aircraft.

News Report: Trump Invite to Thai Leader May Signal New Era

Ron Corben

BANGKOK — Bilateral relations between the United States and Thailand, after what analysts view as a "lost decade," have entered a "new era" following the recent contact by President Donald Trump and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

In his telephone conversation with Prayut, the White House said President Trump highlighted the long standing alliance between the U.S. and Thailand and a "shared interest in strengthening the trade and economic ties between the two countries."

Trump, in a formal invitation to Prayut to visit the White House, also "reaffirmed" the U.S. commitment to an "active and leading role in Asia" in close partnership with the region.

Readjustment in US-Thai relations

The contact marked a major thawing in bilateral ties after Thailand faced diplomatic isolation over the military's intervention in politics over the past decade.

The U.S. administration under President Barack Obama had been critical of Thailand's human rights policies by the military since it took power in May 2014, with the suppression of public debate and bans on political activities.

Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, said Thailand was keen to take up the offer of the U.S. re-establishing links.

News Story: Thai junta defends 'cheap' $393 mn Chinese sub purchase

The Thai junta on Tuesday defended $393 million earmarked for a Chinese submarine, batting back criticism of the secrecy of the deal, its cost and the questionable utility of the warship.

The submarine sale is the latest defence deal between Beijing and Bangkok, who have grown ever closer since Thailand's 2014 coup.

Historically the Southeast Asian kingdom has been a major purchaser of western arms, especially from its traditional Cold War ally the United States.

But since the coup, which strained ties with the West, there has been a run of windfalls for China with Thailand scooping up several dozen Beijing-built tanks and inking plans to buy three submarines in total -- a purchase that will amount to $1 billion.

Talks are also underway for China to construct a multi-million dollar armaments and military hardware repair facility in Thailand.

Read the full story at SpaceWar

News Story: Thailand approves US$393m purchase of Chinese submarines

[BANGKOK] Thailand's Cabinet has approved the first of three planned submarine purchases from China worth US$393 million, a government spokesman said on Monday.

The plan to buy the three Chinese-built submarines worth 36 billion baht (S$1.46 billion) was confirmed in July, signalling warming ties with the regional superpower since relations with the United States cooled after a May 2014 military coup.

The first submarine purchase was approved last week. "The Cabinet approved one submarine purchase on April 18,"spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told Reuters, adding that a budget of 13.5 billion baht has been earmarked for the Yuan Class S26T submarine over a six-year period.

The media were not told about the purchase following a Cabinet meeting last week because it was a matter of national security, he added.

Public criticism and questions have arisen as to whether Thailand really needs new submarines. "In the current situation, where the government cannot successfully solve economic problems, buying expensive submarines is completely unnecessary," Watchara Petchthong, a politician with the Democrat Party, told Reuters.

Read the full story at Business Times

News Story: Cobra Gold tests Thai-US relations

WRITER: KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI

ANALYSIS: Observers hope this year's exercise will provide signs on how future ties will evolve

As Cobra Gold, the biggest annual multilateral military exercise in the Asia-Pacific kicks off Tuesday, what the US Pacific Commander Admiral Harry B Harris Jr has to say during his visit to Thailand will be interesting.

Although the exercise is about Thai-US military cooperation, there might be some signals sent about US-Thai relations as a whole.

Admiral Harris is the highest ranking American official to visit Thailand since the military coup in 2014.

On Tuesday, he will meet the Chief of Defence Forces Gen Surapong Suwana-adth, before they launch the 36th Cobra Gold exercise in Sattahip, Chon Buri.

Later he will meet Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon at the Ministry of Defence before calling on Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House.

Nobody can be sure what will result from the meetings.

But at least, if cooperation for this year's regional exercise is used as a barometer for Thai-US relations, the atmosphere now is much better than it was two years ago.

Read the full story at BangkokPost

News Report: Some 3,600 US Personnel to Participate in Joint Exercise in Thailand

Approximately 3,600 US personnel will take part in an annual multinational exercise Cobra Gold (CG), co-sponsored by the United States and Thailand, the US Army said in a press release.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The exercise, which is the largest multinational security cooperation drill in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, will take place on February 14-24 at various locations in Thailand.

"Twenty-nine nations are either directly participating in or observing CG17, with approximately 3,600 US personnel participating both ashore and afloat," the release stated on Monday.

Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Republic of Korea and Malaysia will also participate in training, according to the release.

The drills will focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, the US Army said.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

USA: USS Green Bay, 31st MEU visit Thailand ahead of Cobra Gold

From USS Green Bay Public Affairs

In this file photo, USS Green Bay (LPD 20) operates in the Pacific while on patrol in September. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Raymond D. Diaz III/ ) >>

SATTAHIP, Thailand - The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20), with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Sattahip for a port visit, Feb. 10.

The visit is meant to strengthen Thailand and the United States relations as the two treaty allies work toward a secure and prosperous Southeast Asia.

Green Bay is making the visit ahead of its participation in Exercise Cobra Gold 2017. Cobra Gold is the largest theater security cooperation exercise in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and is an integral part of the U.S. commitment to strengthen engagement in the region.

News Story: Thailand bound to take cautious foreign policy in face of Trump administration, says expert

BANGKOK, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Thailand is bound to adopt "cautious, scrupulous" foreign policy in the face of newly sworn-in U.S. President Donald Trump, said a Thai expert on Friday.

Chulalongkorn University's political scientist Surachart Bamrungsuk suggested that the Thai government under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha apply foreign policy in "cautious, scrupulous" manner while dealing with the U.S. government under maverick and outspoken Trump.

Though it would be too soon at the moment to say whether the new U.S. administration might take any measure in favor of the ASEAN countries in general and Thailand in particular, Prayut's government is strongly advised to get prepared for possibilities of radical changes in the U.S. foreign policy as a whole, Surachart said during an interview with Xinhua.

"While we have to wait and see how Trump's foreign policy will turn out, particularly regarding the ASEAN region, our government is bound to take cautious, scrupulous steps to deal with it," the Chulalongkorn expert commented.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Thailand to be indirectly affected in Trump's era - experts

BANGKOK, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Most Thai experts think that Thailand is likely to be only indirectly affected by US policy changes under the new administration, after Donald Trump was sworn in as the new U.S. president Friday.

Trump's pledges to boost U.S. economy and make America first in his unusual speech has been well noted by Thai experts.

"Trump's America First' policies will only matter to the U.S. domestic affairs," said Viboonpong Poonprasit, a political science lecturer from Thammasat University.

"Barack Obama's Pivot to Asia' will likely be reduced significantly. Only economic talks will persist, which will actually fit ASEAN's main activities and its diverse nature."

Meanwhile, Washington's impending abandonment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade compact would allow Thailand to engage in more direct, bilateral talks with the western power.

"The US's exit will be a fair reason for Thailand not to jump into it," Viboonpong said.

Trump has outlined a bold plan to create 25 million new American jobs in the next decade. He would also start his trade policy by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and making certain that any new trade deals are in the interests of American workers, according to the White House website updated as he took the oath of office on Friday.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: US envoy stresses continuity in US-Thai relations

WRITER: KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI AND PRANGTHONG JITCHAROENKUL

Human rights abuses to remain top concern

The US ambassador to Thailand insists on "continuity" in US-Thai relations despite a change in the US administration with a new president taking office.

Ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president tomorrow, Ambassador Glyn T Davies said Thailand and Asean will remain pivotal partners of the US.

"We change governments and we are doing it this time as a dramatic change, from one party to another and from one personality to a very different personality, but what remains the same are America's core interests in Southeast Asia, in Thailand," he said.

Although it is clear that under a Trump administration, the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact will be set aside, it is still difficult to gauge what the new trade strategy will be once the US cabinet is formed.

"The good news is it is still free trade," he said, referring to Mr Trump's interest in pursuing bilateral trade deals in a traditional approach.

Mr Davies said the strategic dialogue between the two countries will continue, including cooperation in regional security, humanitarian work, international law enforcement as well as health and education.

He also cited the Cobra Gold military exercise coming up next month, which US Pacific command Admiral Harry B Harris will join, as an example.

Read the full story at BangkokPost