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.