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.