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