U.S. army Pacific chief in Bangkok amid regional security concerns

[Jonathan Fairfield]

U.S. army Pacific chief in Bangkok amid regional security concerns

 

The chief commander of the U.S. Army Pacific, General Robert B. Brown reviews the honour guard with his Thai counterpart, General Chalermchai Sittisart during his visit to Thailand at the Royal Thai Army headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand June 5, 2017. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. Army Pacific met his Thai counterpart in Bangkok on Monday, a rare top-level meeting between the old allies' militaries since the United States criticised a Thai military coup in 2014.

 

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

 

Brown met General Chalermchai Sitthisart, commander of the Royal Thai Army, at the army's headquarters in Bangkok.

 

"The United States and Thailand have had a relationship since 1833 ... We have exchanged ideas, cooperated militarily," the Thai army said in a statement.

 

Neither of the two generals spoke to media following a military parade to welcome Brown.

 

Thailand is Washington's oldest ally in the region, but ties were strained by the 2014 military coup led by then-army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha that ousted an elected civilian government.

 

The United States scaled back some military exchanges with Thailand and Thailand responded by forging closer ties with Asian giant China.

 

But the United States and Thailand have continued to hold joint military exercises including the annual Cobra Gold exercises, Asia's largest multinational drill.

 

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told a regional security conference in Singapore on the weekend that United States remained committed to its Asia-Pacific allies.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" rhetoric and expectations that he would concentrate on a domestic agenda has stoked fears of a retreat from a traditional U.S. security role that has underpinned the region for decades.

 

Now the United States was reacting to China's growing ties with countries like Thailand and its neighbour, Cambodia, an analyst said.

 

"The Trump administration would like to re-balance military power in Asia, which has increasingly moved towards China, in an effort to reassert Washington's security influence," Paul Chambers from the College of ASEAN Community Studies at Naresuan University told Reuters.

 

Last month, Trump invited former army chief Prayuth, who now heads the military government as prime minister, to visit Washington.

 

(Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Robert Birsel)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-06-05

[kotsak]

I assume some R&R is in store for later? After all they are the ones who have founded the industry here. 

[petermik]

7 hours ago, kotsak said:

I assume some R&R is in store for later? After all they are the ones who have founded the industry here. 

That is downright naughty................but I like it

[IAMHERE]

16 hours ago, kotsak said:

I assume some R&R is in store for later? After all they are the ones who have founded the industry here. 

You really think the Japanese army was celibate while in Thailand during WW2?

[williamgeorgeallen]

1 minute ago, IAMHERE said:

You really think the Japanese army was celibate while in Thailand during WW2?

think all of that has been wiped from the history books. the blip in the relationship where america bombed bangkok has long been forgotten by most, except when un exploded  ordnance is dug up and exploded with a gas cutter while trying to recycle it for scrap.

[Ace of Pop]

Wonder if they stop playing Issarn pling plong ting tong Music and put bloody Hotel California on as they do when any Ferang over 5ft tall walks in.?[emoji481]


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[Srikcir]

20 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

General Robert B. Brown reviews the honour guard with his Thai counterpart, General Chalermchai Sittisart

Chalerlchai - “Although the election in 2017 will result in the same old political party forming the government, all sides will have to accept the election results and the rules. The military will not overturn the election,”

But .....

"... a large “show of force” by supporters of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra could result in postponement of the next election." (January 2017)

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30303253

The military can't overturn that which it prevents.

[sawadeeken]

On 6/6/2017 at 8:57 AM, williamgeorgeallen said:

 

On 6/6/2017 at 8:53 AM, IAMHERE said:

You really think the Japanese army was celibate while in Thailand during WW2?

think all of that has been wiped from the history books. the blip in the relationship where america bombed bangkok has long been forgotten by most, except when un exploded  ordnance is dug up and exploded with a gas cutter while trying to recycle it for scrap.

 

I notice that the poster you replied to Capitalized 'Thailand' and 'Japanese' such as is proper.............

I notice that you fail to Capitalize 'America' and even 'Bangkok'............ 

I'm just curious if your grammar is lacking or if it was intentional..............

I personally fail to Capitalize 'muslim' and not a matter of me knowing it is supposed to be Capitalized.....

[williamgeorgeallen]

8 hours ago, sawadeeken said:

I notice that the poster you replied to Capitalized 'Thailand' and 'Japanese' such as is proper.............

I notice that you fail to Capitalize 'America' and even 'Bangkok'............ 

I'm just curious if your grammar is lacking or if it was intentional..............

I personally fail to Capitalize 'muslim' and not a matter of me knowing it is supposed to be Capitalized.....

i dont have time to capitalize anything, i barely have time to comment on grammar Nazis.

[Chris Lawrence]

R&R down Sukimvit Road for the General?

[yellowboat]

On 5/6/2017 at 5:09 PM, Jonathan Fairfield said:

"The United States and Thailand have had a relationship since 1833 ... We have exchanged ideas, cooperated militarily," the Thai army said in a statement.

They get lots of mileage from the old since 1833  relationship thingy.  Too bad there is nothing more substantial or recent to talk about.  Wonder what ideas the Thai military has that would interest the US armed forces.  The Thai military, other than a few border skirmishes, mainly just shepherds the country's populous, selflessly helping them achieve "peace"  and "order". 

[yellowboat]

6 minutes ago, Chris Lawrence said:

R&R down Sukimvit Road for the General?

Pretty sure they would order in for the general, or go some place exclusive.