Thailand to host defense seminars

Thailand to host defense seminars

BANGKOK (Reuter): Thailand's military said yesterday it will
host two international defense seminars from March 15-24 where a
host of security issues, including current tensions between China
and Taiwan, will be discussed.

Territorial disputes, such as those between Japan and South
Korea over two small islands, and disputed claims to the
potentially oil-rich Spratlys islands would also feature, a
senior military officer said.

"The current defense situation in this region will be
discussed," said Lt. Gen. Chokchai Monthong, assistant chief of
staff for operations.

The seminars will be attended by senior armed forces personnel
from a host of Asia-Pacific nations and countries such as the
United States, France and Russia.

The Spratlys are claimed wholly or in part by China, Taiwan,
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.