Thailand, U.S. to hold exercises

Thailand, U.S. to hold exercises

BANGKOK (AFP): The Thai military said yesterday that almost 20,000 Thai and U.S. military personnel would participate at this year's annual joint exercises codenamed Cobra Gold 96 from May 2- 24.

Some 10,000 Thai and 9,500 U.S. military personnel would participate in the exercise in Thailand's southern provinces, the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, Lt. Gen. Mongkol Ambhornpisit told reporters.

The Thai chief of staff stressed that the operations were planned as an annual affair and were unaffected by other considerations.

Seventeen Thai frigates and 35 aircraft will be involved in the exercise in addition to 13 U.S. frigates, a helicopter carrier and 37 US aircraft -- including F-15s and F-18s.