Thai military keeps US waiting over Cobra Gold

[webfact]

MILITARY EXERCISE
Junta keeps US waiting over Cobra Gold
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai military has not responded to an appeal from the United States asking it to rejoin the annual Cobra Gold military exercises, after Washington earlier threatened to relocate the long-standing joint operation to Australia next year in response to the coup in May.

A high-ranking military source said Thailand had asked the US to explain in writing why it wanted to resume the Cobra Gold exercises with Thailand, after previously suggesting it might shift them elsewhere. The threat was an apparent gesture of opposition to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s seizure of power on May 22.

"It was quite a strong reaction from the US in threatening to withdraw the Cobra Gold [exercises] from Thailand, which we are fine with," the military source said.

"We are ready to conduct military exercises with member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [Asean], including Myanmar, along with China and India, which have already said they are ready to take part," he added.

"The US has submitted a letter saying it will resume Cobra Gold jointly with Thailand, but we have not responded to it. We have asked the US to explain in a written statement why [it wants to resume the exercises]," the source said.

There are now a total of 3.5 billion people - the population of India, at 1.2 billion, China at 1.4 billion and the Asean countries, at 700 million - that understand the situation in Thailand, the military source said. However, the US, which has a 180-year-old relationship with Thailand, was among the first to publicly oppose the coup, he added.

The annual Cobra Gold military exercises began in 1982 and are the largest in the Asia-Pacific region, with seven participating countries and 11 observing countries, including China. This year’s exercises were conducted in February, before the military seized power.

The exercises have been conducted every year since they began without interruption. They were even held in 2007, one year after a military coup led by retired Army General Sonthi Boonyaratglin dislodged former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The source said the NCPO had categorised foreign countries into three groups based on their stance towards its coup: Asean countries, which he said were 100 per cent supportive of the NCPO; countries that had not expressed a strong stance, with which the NCPO was currently creating an understanding; and countries that had openly opposed the coup.

"These countries are speaking less about the power seizure - a response signifying their better understanding of the situation in Thailand," the source said. He said most Western countries had only decreased the level of their military relations with Thailand, which he described as a testament to the NCPO's success in foreign relations.

The US government's lowering of Thailand on its human trafficking ranking had not affected the country, he said. The NCPO was, however, disappointed by the "unfair" move, he said.

A decrease in Thai-US military cooperation would not affect the repair and maintenance of US-made hardware and weapons in the Thai military inventory.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Junta-keeps-US-waiting-over-Cobra-Gold-30238421.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-14

[lostsoul49]

Make em suffer.

China is a waaaaay better option.

Thailand doesn't need the US anywhere near as much as the USA need them.

[daoyai]

We all know when we hurt "her" feelings, she will give us the silent treatment for awhile.

[johna]

If you don't invite them, they might invade.

[ClutchClark]

The US acted incredibly foolishly and short-sighted to make this threat when China is right there is the shadows waiting to strengthen their relationship both militarily and commercially.

[thesetat2013]

If you don't invite them, they might invade.

Either you made one of the least likely scenarios ever to happen or your sense of humor this morning is lacking severely.

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[noitom]

The US should detach from Thailand. It is not welcome or wanted by the Thais. The US has wasted a lot of taxpayer money in South East Asia and making the Thais rich and secure. Security in South East Asia, provided by the US, has inspired Japanese investment all over Thailand. Without US security and military support, the Thais will be fine. They have proven time and again that they can take care of their own affairs. The US should stop wasting US taxpayer money in Thailand.

[chainarong]

This all reflects on just how mature Thailand is, you are now coming down to the wire, choose between USA or China , that is what all the delay is over, you only will get one chance, so don't stuff it up., if you think about it, USA really doesn't need Thailand and they are already established and welcome in Australia. Go figure.

[chainarong]

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The US should detach from Thailand. It is not welcome or wanted by the Thais. The US has wasted a lot of taxpayer money in South East Asia and making the Thais rich and secure. Security in South East Asia, provided by the US, has inspired Japanese investment all over Thailand. Without US security and military support, the Thais will be fine. They have proven time and again that they can take care of their own affairs. The US should stop wasting US taxpayer money in Thailand.

It's not about Thailand.

[wilcopops]

US is bound by their own law in how they react to a coup. I'm surprised the Thai government doesn't know that.

[wilcopops]

The US should detach from Thailand. It is not welcome or wanted by the Thais. The US has wasted a lot of taxpayer money in South East Asia and making the Thais rich and secure. Security in South East Asia, provided by the US, has inspired Japanese investment all over Thailand. Without US security and military support, the Thais will be fine. They have proven time and again that they can take care of their own affairs. The US should stop wasting US taxpayer money in Thailand.

This poster needs a good dose of post war Thai history.

[cardinalblue]

Maybe US should look at Vietnam or Malaysia as an alternative?

Who wants to guess who is the one that finances or coordinates the whole affair?

Thailand is acting like a spoiled immature brat so invite but to another country location...see how they handle it..

Yeah China is going to treat Thailand as a partner...politically how many years did they run the country? Thailand is already half Chinese..the next step is just to colonize it...

This would better free up thailand's time and devote their energies to their new submarine center..Somalis pirates might be off the coast....

[iphad]

I think if all the Americans living in Thailand who think Thai are stupid,corrupt,can't follow the laws of the US,childish,immature,won't play by the world's rules,non democratic,choosing China over the US would pack up all their investments & move to another country I'm sure Thailand would realize the error of it's ways & rejoin "Cobra Gold" & cordially invite all those who left with better conditions that made them hate Thailand in the first place.

If you're staying at a hotel & you hate it..change hotels........... unless you enjoy complaining of the bad service

[ukrules]

I may be wrong here but aren't the military going to be very busy over the coming months, perhaps a little too busy for distractions like this ?

[klauskunkel]

A decrease in Thai-US military cooperation would not affect the repair and maintenance of US-made hardware and weapons in the Thai military inventory.

...not as long as there is a Panthip Plaza.

[iphad]

I may be wrong here but aren't the military going to be very busy over the coming months, perhaps a little too busy for distractions like this ?

Exercise Cobra Gold 2014 concluded Feb. 21 so this is about for 2015.

Cobra Gold began as an alliance between Thailand and the US then became multilateral.(Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia.)

[Pib]

Just a bunch of political tit-for-tat, for Thai public consumption. I forecast within a month or so after the junta gets the desired public consumption it will quietly approve the resumption of the Cobra Goal exercise in Thailand because it's not only the U.S. that takes part/co-sponsors the exercise but a variety of countries in this region. Once an major military exercise moves to another country like Australia, or maybe even the Philippines, it can take serious effort to get it back.

[AGareth2]

let China reinstate vasell status

[Jeremy50]

It's just an excuse to let the grunts visit the knocking shop anyway.

[brianP]

If you don't invite them, they might invade.

Either you made one of the least likely scenarios ever to happen or your sense of humor this morning is lacking severely.

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

10 years ago i would agree, but now , things have changed.

[ukrules]

I may be wrong here but aren't the military going to be very busy over the coming months, perhaps a little too busy for distractions like this ?

Exercise Cobra Gold 2014 concluded Feb. 21 so this is about for 2015.

Cobra Gold began as an alliance between Thailand and the US then became multilateral.(Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia.)

From what I've read recently there's something like a 15 month timeline for the current situation which takes us beyond the 2015 exercise.

[Roadman]

Just a bunch of political tit-for-tat, for Thai public consumption. I forecast within a month or so after the junta gets the desired public consumption it will quietly approve the resumption of the Cobra Goal exercise in Thailand because it's not only the U.S. that takes part/co-sponsors the exercise but a variety of countries in this region. Once an major military exercise moves to another country like Australia, or maybe even the Philippines, it can take serious effort to get it back.

Generally agree. Odds are it will stay in Thailand as Thailand will value its US relationships (read markets not just US but world) as much as the US values Thailand (read its safe foot in the door into SE Asia at Chinese expense) - one does not give away secure alliances that take years to build. What I see this as is not just political tit for tat for Thai public consumption but political tit for tat for world consumption. The US (even if it is for foreign policy) made a horrendous stuff up by calling the Thai's on the world stage not over the human trafficking issues which are fair enough but over the application of martial law which was fully warranted. Philippines are not mainland or central SE Asia which Thailand is and that is the card Thailand hold. And Australia are US bumboys already so there is no additional gain in moving a SE Asia exercise to Australia (they are Pacific not SE Asia) when there is plenty of other war games exercises taken between the US, Australia and others already. Forcing the US as the ring leader on the junta power grab to not necessarily apologise but to back off a little pokes the point at the EU and Australia also on the same issue. The Thai's have a good hand of cards, with China as their free Joker, but the Thai call is getting maximum benefit back on the martial law issue without trying to push the barrow on what should not be yield-able gains on the human trafficking issues. I would be making the US wait a bit longer but at the same time applying diplomacy to the hilt on Thai Martial Law 101 and the pre Junta Thai criminal governance.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Roadman

[randyoon]

Don't take it too serious about what the current regime in the USA has to say about the coup in Thailand. Things will get back to normal once this POS POTUS leaves office. That is as long as the people vote for someone that actually has the ability to restore the USA to what it once was. The current regime in Washington D.C., including John (the lurch) Kerry, should keep it's nose out of Thailand's business.

[trogers]

Let Cobra Goal be held in Australia. AEC and company can start Viper Nest here.

[kamahele]

These exercises aren't really for the USA. We don't get anything out of it. These exercises are for the benefit of the Thai military. If the Thai military doesn't want it, then fine. The USA has other locations to practice working in tropical locations. The US military has been involved in helping the Philippine government with the Philippine insurgency for years and has bases in Hawaii, Guam and Okinawa for training in the tropics. Cobra Gold is an opportunity to share knowledge and training with Thailand and to also poke a finger in China's eye.

[iphad]

Just a bunch of political tit-for-tat, for Thai public consumption. I forecast within a month or so after the junta gets the desired public consumption it will quietly approve the resumption of the Cobra Goal exercise in Thailand because it's not only the U.S. that takes part/co-sponsors the exercise but a variety of countries in this region. Once an major military exercise moves to another country like Australia, or maybe even the Philippines, it can take serious effort to get it back.

Generally agree. Odds are it will stay in Thailand as Thailand will value its US relationships (read markets not just US but world) as much as the US values Thailand (read its safe foot in the door into SE Asia at Chinese expense) - one does not give away secure alliances that take years to build. What I see this as is not just political tit for tat for Thai public consumption but political tit for tat for world consumption. The US (even if it is for foreign policy) made a horrendous stuff up by calling the Thai's on the world stage not over the human trafficking issues which are fair enough but over the application of martial law which was fully warranted. Philippines are not mainland or central SE Asia which Thailand is and that is the card Thailand hold. And Australia are US bumboys already so there is no additional gain in moving a SE Asia exercise to Australia (they are Pacific not SE Asia) when there is plenty of other war games exercises taken between the US, Australia and others already. Forcing the US as the ring leader on the junta power grab to not necessarily apologise but to back off a little pokes the point at the EU and Australia also on the same issue. The Thai's have a good hand of cards, with China as their free Joker, but the Thai call is getting maximum benefit back on the martial law issue without trying to push the barrow on what should not be yield-able gains on the human trafficking issues. I would be making the US wait a bit longer but at the same time applying diplomacy to the hilt on Thai Martial Law 101 and the pre Junta Thai criminal governance.

Totally agree this is not for Thai public consumption & the Thai military government is wisely playing it's cards.

Moving Cobra Gold was the US bluffing, hoping naively that by disrespecting the Thai General that they would bring him in line with US interests.

Unfortunately ( for the US ) Thailand is a independent Nation & at the moment is not willing to be a lapdog..

for the pro western posters on TV calling Thailand childish..are themselves being childish in that they are preaching the same old Colonial attitude that the West is better.

This is about politics,negotiation & hopefully compromise.

The US has certainly since after WW2 been a superpower bully & it's big mouth rhetoric doesn't ensure lasting friendship with other countries it tries to dominate.

I applaud Thailand for making the US do a

[KOZMO]

We all know when we hurt "her" feelings, she will give us the silent treatment for awhile.

The U.S. was very stupid for using a threat against the thai military, you can thank Obummer for that!!! i was at Thakli for the first Cobra gold in 82 when we brought over 7 F-4E'S from Clark AFB. We had to stay at Nakorn sawan because no hotels in THakli met U.S. standards. It was great, and we were the only country involved in this exercise. We were treated like royalty. So much for the good old days!!

[Rimmer]

One inflammatory post has been removed along with the quoted replies

[JohnBlake]

US is bound by their own law in how they react to a coup. I'm surprised the Thai government doesn't know that.

how should the thai government know, when the us doesn't even know their own laws

[daveAustin]

The US should detach from Thailand. It is not welcome or wanted by the Thais. The US has wasted a lot of taxpayer money in South East Asia and making the Thais rich and secure.

Oh aye, real secure. Thailand has never been so Insecure; look at the state of the south, for one. Thais rich? lol Where do you chaps come from? You get all offended when another country very rightly makes you sit on your hands. You’re right, though, you are not welcome here if you open your mouth without thinking. And regards this Cobra Gold, make no mistake, the US NEEDS Thailand! It will happen of course, you just have to follow the Thai way I'm afraid.

Anyway, neversure will be along any minute now to warn us all how big the US nuclear stockpile is, how many planes, tanks, grunts there are, etc etc ad nauseam. Grow up, guys.