Deputy Thai PM to attend Informal Defense Ministers Meeting in Moscow

[webfact]

Deputy premier to attend Informal Defense Ministers Meeting in Moscow

BANGKOK, 25 April 2016 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan is scheduled to visit Russia and attend an Informal Meeting of the Defense Ministers of ASEAN and Russia and the fifth Moscow International Conference during April 25-28, 2016.

Signing of a draft bilateral agreement will take place during the period.

Gen Prawit, who will be accompanied by Defense Ministry Permanent Secretary Gen Preecha Chan-o-cha, plans to have bilateral talks with the defense ministers of Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam and Russia in Moscow.

Thai and Russian officials will sign an agreement on military cooperation in training, education, medical, surveying, hydrography, sea search and rescue and anti-piracy operations.

-- NNT 2016-04-25

[selftaopath]

Yep... NEW BFF Russia and China. Humnnnn how a/b DPRK aka NK?

BTW is Pattaya yet a Russian enclave yet?

[EricBerg]

It underlines the new course of the Kingdom. I wish them luck, though it will not bring much good.

[Wilsonandson]

"I want a submarine. Vietnams got 5. Why can't we have one?"

"Okay, okay, but we'll have to put the taxes up again"

"Thanks, Pray, I'm off to Russia"

"Thats ok Praw, bring me back some vodka"

"Will do, ow a submarine, I'm so excited!"

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/143414

[jlwilliamsjr18]

Need we say more..."Thai and Russian officials will sign an agreement on military cooperation..." How deep or low will they go? Time to make plans to move on or hunker down in your own hermitages.

[phoenixdoglover]

First, why are they calling it "informal"? Looks pretty formal to me. They are signing an agreement.

Second, the agreement is notable for what it DOES NOT include. No trading smoked rubber sheets for new toys, I guess.

Thai and Russian officials will sign an agreement on military cooperation in training, education, medical, surveying, hydrography, sea search and rescue and anti-piracy operations.

[ThailandLOS]

Thailand prefers Russian cooperation over US influence and domination. Good.

[chainarong]

One cannot help but notice the new Defence Permanent secretary Gen Preecha Chan - O -cha sponging a ride on this trip , one also notices the Defence Secretary is an automatic appointment in cabinet ,keeping the family snouts in the trough , funny that....................................................

[Baerboxer]

Need we say more..."Thai and Russian officials will sign an agreement on military cooperation..." How deep or low will they go? Time to make plans to move on or hunker down in your own hermitages.

Did you notice other ASEAN country defense ministers are going too?

How low will they go - well not sucking to to America and becoming America's whore like Australia or finding out being best friend means sweet FA like the UK.

Perhaps the Asian countries are wary of being too reliant on the US for support against China. They've seen the US always wants its pound of flesh and what a great job it's done in the ME and Africa.

Russia is the counterbalance - will and does stand up to America and the EU and is no real friend of China.

ASEAN may prefer to be independent - not live by the grace of the American government.

[NCC1701A]

Thailand prefers Russian cooperation over US influence and domination. Good.

[phoenixdoglover]

Thailand prefers Russian cooperation over US influence and domination. Good.

Yeah, well Russia has never, ever engaged in influence and domination (cough, cough).

[Srikcir]

Perhaps Russia will help the Thai military deal with the Malay-Thai insurgency in exchange for a naval base.

Got any barrel bombs Prayut?

[chilli42]

Thailand prefers Russian cooperation over US influence and domination. Good.

The US has done this to themselves. They drive their allies away by insisting that the domestic and foreign policies mirror those of the US. Disingenuous at a time when the US has do little to offer Asia. China is the dominant regional military power and a global economic powerhouse. It is also clear to Asian countries that they can not count on the US to stand up for them should there be a military crisis. With the Asian allies adrift, who can blame them for seeking new military alliances which they hope will lead eventually to economic alliances.