U.S. Holds War Games In Thailand Despite Coup

[Jai Dee]

U.S. holds war games in Thailand despite coup

Thailand and the United States kicked off their annual "Cobra Gold" war games on Tuesday despite Washington's misgivings about September's military coup, which deposed elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Washington's decision to suspend $24 million of military aid because of laws restricting funding to countries that undergo coups had led to speculation it might cancel the exercises with one of its strongest southeast Asian allies.

U.S. deputy ambassador Alexander Arvizu made no allusion to the Sept. 19 putsch in opening remarks for the annual operations, which also include the Singaporean, Indonesian, and Japanese military.

"For a quarter century, Cobra Gold has been the most visible symbol of U.S. and Thai military cooperation," Arvizu said in a statement.

The exercises take place in the province of Chon Buri, east of Bangkok, where the United States built up a massive military presence during the Vietnam War.

The event has evolved from an exclusively Thai-U.S. exercise to include many other countries from the region. Its focus has also shifted towards humanitarian and disaster relief operations, such as after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Source: Reuters - 08 May 2007

[richard10365]

Maybe the U.S. military is getting tips from the Thai military on how to over throw the President of the United States.

Edited May 8, 2007 by richard10365

[calibanjr.]

Too hard to get him to leave the country!

[skipvice]

Maybe the U.S. military is getting tips from the Thai military on how to over throw the President of the United States.

The U.S. military dose a lot of good duriing these war games, provide free medical and dental to the local villages and help with schools and orphanages and of course training for disaster relief

[lingling]

U.S. holds warsex games in Thailand despite coup

"For a quarter century, Cobra Gold has been the most visible symbol of U.S. and Thai military cooperation," Arvizu said in a statement.

The exercises take place in the province of Chon Buri, east of Bangkok, where the United States built up a massive military presence during the Vietnam War.

Since when does Cobra Gold have anything to do with military cooperation or exercises? It has more to do with sending the US soldiers for a 'treat' in Pattaya.

[fxm88]

Why are we having war games? Last time I checked, there's an actual war going on in Iraq -- let these guys go there if they want to "play".

[ratcatcher]

Why are we having war games? Last time I checked, there's an actual war going on in Iraq -- let these guys go there if they want to "play".

Could they be practicing to invade Burma?

No, too busy in Iraq.

[skipvice]

No longer war Games

The event has evolved from an exclusively Thai-U.S. exercise to include many other countries from the region. Its focus has also shifted towards humanitarian and disaster relief operations, such as after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

It seems to me that disaster relief exercise is much needed it this part of the world.

Edited May 8, 2007 by skipvice

[Amethyst]

Maybe the U.S. military is getting tips from the Thai military on how to over throw the President of the United States.

:D

[Amethyst]

Taiwan,Singapore,Indonesia,US and India is involved in this drill

[solent01]

U.S. holds warsex games in Thailand despite coup

"For a quarter century, Cobra Gold has been the most visible symbol of U.S. and Thai military cooperation," Arvizu said in a statement.

The exercises take place in the province of Chon Buri, east of Bangkok, where the United States built up a massive military presence during the Vietnam War.

Since when does Cobra Gold have anything to do with military cooperation or exercises? It has more to do with sending the US soldiers for a 'treat' in Pattaya.

But of course, at the end of the day, Pattaya wouldn't be the famous resort it is today without the help of the US armed forces would it. After all they did turn the sleepy fishing village in to the hedonistic capital of the world.

Not sure about skipvice's comments, he could well be one of the pioneers (joking skip, your comments do have weight )

[richard10365]

Maybe the U.S. military is getting tips from the Thai military on how to over throw the President of the United States.

The U.S. military dose a lot of good duriing these war games, provide free medical and dental to the local villages and help with schools and orphanages and of course training for disaster relief

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Thailand already have free medical care?

Not really sure what they do with schools. I can't imagine it is too much if they have been comming here for a quarter of a century and the schools are less than impressive.

Not really sure about their disaster relief either. We saw their performance with Katrina. Unless it is the Thai's training the U.S. how to conduct diaster relief.

The only good it does is for the troops when they go into Pattaya and find short term girlfriends to help pay for them sick buffalos back in the bargirls village. I'm sure during their shore leave safety briefing they pass out free condoms to the troops to make sure they wives and girlfriends back in the USA don't catch any STDs.

It seems like a waste of U.S. taxpayer money and it should probably be cancelled.

[solent01]

Maybe the U.S. military is getting tips from the Thai military on how to over throw the President of the United States.

The U.S. military dose a lot of good duriing these war games, provide free medical and dental to the local villages and help with schools and orphanages and of course training for disaster relief

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Thailand already have free medical care?

Not really sure what they do with schools. I can't imagine it is too much if they have been comming here for a quarter of a century and the schools are less than impressive.

Not really sure about their disaster relief either. We saw their performance with Katrina. Unless it is the Thai's training the U.S. how to conduct diaster relief.

The only good it does is for the troops when they go into Pattaya and find short term girlfriends to help pay for them sick buffalos back in the bargirls village. I'm sure during their shore leave safety briefing they pass out free condoms to the troops to make sure they wives and girlfriends back in the USA don't catch any STDs.

It seems like a waste of U.S. taxpayer money and it should probably be cancelled.

If you mean the 30 baht card, then no, that doesn't amount to much when you really need it (talking Thai of course), and as Farang, you need money for any type of care.

If you mean the BASIC preventative medicine performed in the sticks, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that was funded pretty much internationally, and although free to those concerned, it certainly wouldn’t save them when the chips are down.

Edit to add some balance......

My mother in-law was successfully diagnosed and treated/being treated for systemic Lupus, so its not all bad news

Edited May 8, 2007 by solent01

[richard10365]

Maybe the U.S. military is getting tips from the Thai military on how to over throw the President of the United States.

The U.S. military dose a lot of good duriing these war games, provide free medical and dental to the local villages and help with schools and orphanages and of course training for disaster relief

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Thailand already have free medical care?

Not really sure what they do with schools. I can't imagine it is too much if they have been comming here for a quarter of a century and the schools are less than impressive.

Not really sure about their disaster relief either. We saw their performance with Katrina. Unless it is the Thai's training the U.S. how to conduct diaster relief.

The only good it does is for the troops when they go into Pattaya and find short term girlfriends to help pay for them sick buffalos back in the bargirls village. I'm sure during their shore leave safety briefing they pass out free condoms to the troops to make sure they wives and girlfriends back in the USA don't catch any STDs.

It seems like a waste of U.S. taxpayer money and it should probably be cancelled.

If you mean the 30 baht card, then no, that doesn't amount to much when you really need it (talking Thai of course), and as Farang, you need money for any type of care.

My son was born with the 30 baht card but I believe now it is free. How much does it cost to have a kid in the USA? So I guess it does amount to quite a bit. Since the medical care is free, it kinda puts the U.S. health care program to shame.

You are right about farangs needing money for medical care. Tricare, the uniformed health care program of the uniformed services, paid for my "really need it" health care coverage when I really needed it.

But we are just talking about Thai's of course.

[solent01]

Rich, I'm not doubting what you say, I simply have a private policy for my whole family (believing its money well spent when it comes to the crunch)

Edit......

Meaning wife, myself and children. Not extended family

Edited May 8, 2007 by solent01

[richard10365]

Rich, I'm not doubting what you say, I simply have a private policy for my whole family (believing its money well spent when it comes to the crunch)

A private policy is a good idea to supplement the Thai health care system. The care may be free but the private policy upgrades your public room to a vip room.

Somethings I say you have to ignore. You know what they say about the scorn of a woman. I think the scorn of retired U.S. service member can be worse.

Comments about the great and wonderful USA seem to push my button and I find it quite easy to go off topic to vent my frustration about the land of the free.

To stick to the party line,.... I love the troops (some I hate by name), its the policy makers (GWB) who suck.

[solent01]

Rich, I think we are talking about two different levels of health care. I'm talking life or death case scenarios, and getting treatment fast (as the same as England, we have Nation Health, which is ok if your condition allows, however, if you are critical, you will die by the time you get through the waiting list, yet with private cover you will be treated by the same specialists, but as soon as you can get to the hospital(normally within a week or two), not when your number come up) this is not covered free of charge, for Thais and Farang, without the adequate cover, in these scenarios people die. Hence the whole family policy at a premium.

Edit.....

But I think we are moving off topic, so if you want open a new thread under the health section, sure we can get a lot more input

Edited May 8, 2007 by solent01

[solent01]

Comments about the great and wonderful USA seem to push my button and I find it quite easy to go off topic to vent my frustration about the land of the free.

To get back on topic, that’s your view, certainly not mine, (what’s so great about the US? So great that you are here in Thailand? Don't get me wrong, England is no better...... (but also, no worse)

[jEFFREYk44]

Another bash American thread

[solent01]

Jeff, who's bashing? Think your a little sensitive.......

[Johpa]

Maybe the U.S. military is getting tips from the Thai military on how to over throw the President of the United States.

The U.S. military dose a lot of good duriing these war games, provide free medical and dental to the local villages and help with schools and orphanages and of course training for disaster relief

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Thailand already have free medical care?

Thailand does provide some subsidized and free health care, but free health care doesn't mean much if you can't easily get to a clinic. I know that during Cobra Gold and other times of the year, some highly trained American medics attached to ODA teams visit some very poor and isolated villages and provide immediate health care services, ranging from innoculations to some surgery, to these villagers.

[skipvice]

BAN NON KROB, Thailand - Seabees from Naval Mobile Constrction Battalion-3 (NMCB-3), Port Hueneme, Ca. (currently deployed to Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan) lay brick for a storage facility for a school being constructed in Ban Nong Krob, Thailand in support of Cobra Gold 2007. Cobra Gold 07 is focusing on maintaining and improving military-to-military relationships among the Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Japan and Indonesia and on exercising multi-lateral interoperability. The exercise demonstrates joint and multinational capabilities and interoperability in conducting United Nations sanctioned Peace Support Operations (PSO) contingency response planning and execution. (Offical USMC Photo by by MGySgt H. Farrell)

[skipvice]

Events held during CG 07 will consist of a computer simulated staff exercise, senior leaders seminar, various field training exercises and 11 humanitarian and civic action projects consisting of four engineering construction projects and seven medical, dental and veterinary clinics.

“During Cobra Gold 2007, for the exercise portion, we will be basically working from a [security and stability operation] moving into a peacekeeping operation bringing in the UN and all the combined forces of Thailand, the U.S., Singapore, Japan and Indonesia,” said Maj. Mike Samples, Cobra Gold Field Training Exercise current operations officer. “The U.S. always remains committed to the security and humanitarian interests of The Kingdom of Thailand and we utilize CG 07 to engage in those areas with the government of Thailand.”

Samples believes the training will provide critical opportunities to enhance security relationships in conducting multinational operations throughout the Pacific.

“You have multiple interoperability and working relationships developed between Thailand and the U.S. and their regional partners,” said Samples.

For the U.S., CG 07 provides each service the opportunity to work alongside their Thai counterparts, as well as, demonstrate the United States’ resolve to support the security, stability and humanitarian interests with their Pacific partners.

“Combined and joint training will be conducted on a daily basis,” said Samples. “The Royal Thai Army will be working with the U.S. Army in Pranburi, the U.S. Navy and the Royal Thai Navy will conduct operations in the Gulf of Thailand and there is going to be a robust air cell put together with 1st Marine Air Wing. The 1st MAW will be engaged in advising, training and mentoring the Royal Thai Air Force in the command and control of air operations.”

Each day the U.S. Air Force will also fly a B-52 Stratofortress through Thai airspace and back to Andersen Air Base on Guam, highlighting its global reach capability.

The exercise is designed to improve interoperability of those participating along with building friendly cooperative relations. Multi-national responses to regional contingencies are likely to be the norm in the future and Cobra Gold is a way for the countries participating to prepare for such a response. The multi-national response to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Dec. 2004 tsunami was rapid and much more efficient due to the strong ties developed as a result of this annual exercise.

On the net: www1.apan-info.net/cobragold

[richard10365]

Maybe the U.S. military is getting tips from the Thai military on how to over throw the President of the United States.

The U.S. military dose a lot of good duriing these war games, provide free medical and dental to the local villages and help with schools and orphanages and of course training for disaster relief

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Thailand already have free medical care?

Thailand does provide some subsidized and free health care, but free health care doesn't mean much if you can't easily get to a clinic. I know that during Cobra Gold and other times of the year, some highly trained American medics attached to ODA teams visit some very poor and isolated villages and provide immediate health care services, ranging from innoculations to some surgery, to these villagers.

I have only lived here for 3 years and I don't know all of Thailand but from what I have seen, these clinics (ana mai) are more readily avaliable than clinics are in the U.S.

I'm sure there are areas in the U.S. where medical care is not right around the corner. Maybe Thailand should send medical teams to the U.S. to assist the U.S. government in taking care of these isolated communities.

The area where they might need improvement is their ambulance system. If the U.S. troops want to stand by and wait for calls to come in they could use help in that area.

American resources such as this would be better used in countries such as those in Africa where medical care is not avaliable. I think medical care is avaliable more here than in the USA.

But if they want to give their troops something to do, they could all put on little orange vest and walk along the side of the road picking up trash.

I think what they are doing is trying to justify their trip. Since U.S. taxpayers dollars are being spent here, U.S. military commanders have the responsibility to justify sending these American troops over here. Since all decision makers won't be satisfied with just jumping out of planes with soliders from foreign countries, the tear jerking support for the indigenous natives of isolated Thailand get's these people to give their support.

[richard10365]

BAN NON KROB, Thailand - Seabees from Naval Mobile Constrction Battalion-3 (NMCB-3), Port Hueneme, Ca. (currently deployed to Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan) lay brick for a storage facility for a school being constructed in Ban Nong Krob, Thailand in support of Cobra Gold 2007. Cobra Gold 07 is focusing on maintaining and improving military-to-military relationships among the Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Japan and Indonesia and on exercising multi-lateral interoperability. The exercise demonstrates joint and multinational capabilities and interoperability in conducting United Nations sanctioned Peace Support Operations (PSO) contingency response planning and execution. (Offical USMC Photo by by MGySgt H. Farrell)

A wonderful heart wrenching moment. I'm sure the Thai locals are looking at the work being done and thinking if they were doing the work then they would get paid for that. I'm sure they appreciate the U.S. troops taking jobs from them.

[sbk]

Where I live there is one govt hospital staffed by three doctors (only two practicing) to service a registered population of 7000+ people (unregistered is more like 14,000+) as well as tourists. Anyone with money goes to Samui or the mainland. There is one Xray technician (frequently unavailable) and an xray that frequently breaks down. There are quite a few ana mai offices but they only handle the most basic of medical care. And my experience has been that the staff are not doctors.

Kudos to anyone who helps the poor with medical care.

[farang prince]

Jeff, who's bashing? Think your a little sensitive.......

Well, Solent, you aren't the sharpest pencil in the box, but at least you are smart enough not to spout your anti-American rhetoric in one of those Pattaya bars. Otherwise, your health care policy would be getting quite a workout.

[richard10365]

Where I live there is one govt hospital staffed by three doctors (only two practicing) to service a registered population of 7000+ people (unregistered is more like 14,000+) as well as tourists. Anyone with money goes to Samui or the mainland. There is one Xray technician (frequently unavailable) and an xray that frequently breaks down. There are quite a few ana mai offices but they only handle the most basic of medical care. And my experience has been that the staff are not doctors.

Kudos to anyone who helps the poor with medical care.

Imagine how much help they could give if they just donated the money or medical equpment directly to these run down hospitals instead of using air and naval operations as an excuse to visit Thailand.

It's nice to help poor people with their health care needs but I really don't trust their motives. It almost sounds like vote buying.

[Jai Dee]

A wonderful heart wrenching moment. I'm sure the Thai locals are looking at the work being done and thinking if they were doing the work then they would get paid for that. I'm sure they appreciate the U.S. troops taking jobs from them.

Imagine how much help they could give if they just donated the money or medical equpment directly to these run down hospitals instead of using air and naval operations as an excuse to visit Thailand.

It's nice to help poor people with their health care needs but I really don't trust their motives. It almost sounds like vote buying.

Do I detect a certain amount of cynicism here?

[Bagwan]

I thought the main thrust of Cobra Gold, apart from separating US troops from their money, was to put some fuel in the hulk the Thais call an aircraft carrier - that has no aircraft!

On the evidence of 1941 the Thai Armed Forces give in after a couple of hours so what is the point?