U.S. to send most senior officer to Thailand since 2014 coup

[webfact]

U.S. to send most senior officer to Thailand since 2014 coup

By Cod Satrusayang and Panarat Thempgumpanat

REUTERS

 

BANGKOK: -- The highest ranking U.S. officer to visit Thailand since a 2014 coup will attend a military exercise next month in what the Thai army hailed on Wednesday as a sign of improving relations.

 

The United States scaled down its presence at Cobra Gold, Asia's largest annual multinational military exercise, as one of the former U.S. administration's measures to pressure the Thai government to restore democracy.

 

Relations have since improved as the junta has taken steps towards holding elections - and as Thailand has grown closer to dominant regional power China.

 

The U.S. embassy confirmed that Admiral Harry Harris, the head of Pacific Command, would open Cobra Gold on Feb. 14. More junior officers attended the exercise in the past two years.

 

Harris's attendance was planned before the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, whose policy moves on Asia are closely watched after signals of potential confrontation with China over trade, Taiwan and claims in the South China Sea.

 

The U.S. embassy said Cobra Gold would only return to its original scope and scale once Thailand restores democracy.

 

"We are eager to see our cooperation fully resume with the restoration of a democratically elected civilian government," Melissa Sweeney, a spokeswoman at the U.S. embassy in Bangkok, told Reuters.

 

The United States will send 3,500 personnel to the war games - slightly fewer than last year.

 

Thailand's army said that Harris's attendance at Cobra Gold sent an important signal.

 

"It is not common for an officer of Admiral Harris' rank to attend these sorts of events," said General Thanchaiyan Srisuwan, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

 

"It is a good signal for Thai-American relations and shows that the U.S. has given importance to this region and this exercise," he told Reuters.

 

Thailand has hosted the war games since they began in 1982. This year's event will be attended by 8,333 personnel from 29 countries.

 

Thailand's links with China have grown ever stronger since the 2014 coup.

 

Thai officials said on Wednesday the government had approved 13.5 billion baht ($380 million) to buy a submarine from China after putting the purchase on hold last year. It will also buy new tanks and other vehicles from China.

 

The Thai junta held a referendum last year on a constitution to allow a general election. It was originally due to take place this year but it is not widely expected to happen before 2018.

 

(Editing by Matthew Tostevin)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-01-27

[Somtamnication]

Nor in 2019. 

[scotchonrocks]

Thailand being used as a political football by the US. One minute they want to reprimand them for not being democratic with consequent freezing of relations, the next they seek to thaw the ice because they need to support bordering neighbours as a backstop against Chinese hegemony.  Thailand can choose to pitch this as some kind of endorsement from the US when it is nothing of the sort.

[IAMHERE]

Admiral Harris wants to enjoy a Thai tour guide before he retirees, sex pure and simple. No need to read more into it than a horny US officer using his perks before he packs it in.

[elgordo38]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

"We are eager to see our cooperation fully resume with the restoration of a democratically elected civilian government," Melissa Sweeney, a spokeswoman at the U.S. embassy in Bangkok, told Reuters.

Restoration of a democratically elected "civilian" government working at the Bangkok embassy no less. Yes the term alternate truth is here to stay. 

[elgordo38]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

 

"It is a good signal for Thai-American relations and shows that the U.S. has given importance to this region and this exercise," he told Reuters.

 

Its just amazing how fast the tune changes here. One needs a road map (Mr. Prayuth can I borrow yours) to keep up with the changing political winds here. 

[derator01]

Credible links only, please.  Global Research is not one.

[Retiredandhappyhere]

Gosh, give Trump a chance.  He has not yet had time to learn that Admiral Harry Harris is scheduled to take charge of these games on February 14th.  I am looking forward to Thailand's take on the news when Trump decides to cancel Harry's involvement and sends a new recruit to take charge.