U.S., Thai troops begin joint drills

U.S., Thai troops begin joint drills

THAILAND: Some 6,300 U.S. and Thai troops began a two-week military drill in Thailand on Monday focusing on disaster relief, the U.S. Embassy said, four months after a tsunami devastated southern coastal areas.

U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Ralph L. Boyce said the 24th Cobra Gold exercises would build on past drills that had contributed to the success of relief efforts in the aftermath of the tsunami that killed more than 5,000 people in this Southeast Asian nation.

"Based on our shared experiences in responding to the devastation of the Dec. 26 tsunami that affected this region, we have decided to reshape Cobra Gold this year to improve our ability to respond together to future disasters in this part of the world," Boyce said at a ceremony in the northern city of Chiang Mai to launch the drill, according to an embassy statement.

The training exercises will include a workshop and computer- assisted exercise in Chiang Mai, the statement said.

Thai and U.S. troops will take part in field training exercises to improve basic military skills, including air-to-air, maritime patrolling and antimine operations in sites around the country.

Some 3,644 U.S. and 2,655 Thai soldiers will be joined by 76 Singaporean and 20 Japanese self-defense troops in the exercises, the statement said. --AP