THE ROYAL THAI ARMY/MARINES/INFANTRY, CHAI YO! Options

[VAMAN]

Exercise COBRA GOLD 2008

The Cobra Gold 2008 multi-national joint military exercise was held in coordination between the USA, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan.

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^ Thailand's Deputy Supreme Commander General Montree Sungkasap (L) looks a demonstration of a tree climbing machine during an opening ceremony of joint military exercise of Cobra Gold 08 at the Air Combat Command, Nakhon Ratchasima province, about 260 km. northeast of Bangkok, Thailand, 08 May 2008.

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^ U.S.Deputy Chief of Mission James F.Entwistle (Right) accompanied by Thailand's Deputy Supreme Commander General Montree Sungkasap (Center) review the honour guard during an opening ceremony of joint military exercise of Cobra Gold 08 at the Air Combat Command, Nakhon Ratchasima province, about 260 km. northeast of Bangkok, Thailand, 08 May 2008.

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^ Thai Supreme Commander General Montree Sungkasap (Center) shakes hands with U.S.Deputy Chief of Mission James F.Entwistle (2-R), Japanese Deputy Chief of Mission Jun Niimi (Right), Indonesian Deputy of Mission Djumantoro Purbo (L) and Singaporean Ambassador Peter Chan Jer Hing (2-L) during the opening ceremony of a joint military exercise of Cobra Gold 2008. Cobra Gold 2008 is a multi-national joint military exercise held in coordination between the U.S, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan of 14,373 participants involved for designed to promote regional peace and security.

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This post has been edited by VAMAN: May 21 2008, 11:44 AM

[VAMAN]

Exercise COBRA GOLD 2008

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^ Thai soldiers carry their weapons as they take part in the Cobra Gold military exercises at a military base in Lopburi province on May 21, 2008. About 5,250 Thai personnel and 6,075 US forces join the exercises, about twice as many as last year, when the exercises were scaled down while Thailand was under a military-backed regime.

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^ A US Cobra helicopter fires during the Cobra Gold joint military exercise at a military base in Lopburi province, 150 km north of Bangkok, Thailand, 21 May 2008.

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^ A Thai military helicopter releases flares during the Cobra Gold military exercise at a military base in Lopburi province on May 21, 2008. Around 5,250 Thai personnel and 6,075 US troops are joining the exercise about twice as many as last year, when the exercise was scaled down while Thailand was under a military-backed regime.

[Aardvark]

Just curious, is touching the bowl disrespectful? He is putting something in the bowl I suppose.

I think so, When I used to do it when I was a kid, I was tol to not to touch the edge, people told me if you touch it you penbab.

[VAMAN]

I think so, When I used to do it when I was a kid, I was tol to not to touch the edge, people told me if you touch it you penbab.

I see. Not touching the bowl seems to be a sign of respect for the monks. What is penbab btw? Thanks for the reply.

[Aardvark]

penbab (เปนบาบ) (did I spell it right guys?) meant you did something rude or bad to something you should respect. Its mostly to do with buhddist religion.


Its been a while since I have done it, so I dont know much. I'm a Thai/Canadian living in Canada, so I don't do it here.

[revolt]

i was suppose to be at cobra gold 2008 but I had no passport haha they wouldnt let me go. My refugee birth certificate didn't work.

[Aardvark]

Get a passport lol and wait till next year?

[revolt]

yeah i'd be off okinawa by then.

[Aardvark]

yeah i'd be off okinawa by then.

Well then, i guess you could come during holiday time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggthumpup.gif)

[VAMAN]

Thai riot policemen in Bangkok.

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[Aardvark]

^^^^Whats with the riot?

[VAMAN]

^^^^Whats with the riot?

Riot police to control people involved in a riot or protest. Riot police wears some type of amour to protect themselves from the rioters.

This post has been edited by VAMAN: Jun 9 2008, 04:21 AM

[VAMAN]

Royal Thai Marines Teach Jungle Survival to U.S. Counterparts
Story Number: NNS080618-08
Release Date: 6/18/2008 11:30:00 AM

By Lance Cpl. Andrew S. Avitt, Marine Division 1st Infantry Public Affairs

CAMP PRAMAHAJESSADA, Thailand (NNS) -- Royal Thai Marines from Marine Division 1st Infantry Battalion presented a two-hour class on jungle survival to U.S. Marines, June 10, as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008.

During the course, Thai Marines taught their counterparts the importance of prioritizing their efforts and also taught them how to find fresh water and food. The U.S. Marines also learned how to handle cobras.

The instructors taught survival techniques for the hot, humid conditions of Southeast Asia's vast jungles. The Marines learned how to assess their situation by prioritizing their needs in order to conserve energy in a jungle climate.

"Don't get too excited. Energy is precious in the jungle," the trainer said through a translator, Royal Thai Marine Chief Petty Officer 1 Weerachai.

After the individual's situation is evaluated and his or her needs prioritized, the first thing to obtain is usually water, the instructor said. Without water, the average human can only live about three days, likely even less in the hot conditions of the jungle, he said.

The instructor said obvious places to find water, such as oceans, lakes, and rivers, are not always safe for drinking because they often contain pollution, bacteria or salt. These sources, he explained, can be made safe for consumption through distillation. Distillation is a method wherein water is boiled to kill bacteria and filter out salt and pollution. Clean water vapor rises to the top of a cool pot, where it then condenses again into liquid.

The Thai Marines also explained how to find water when no obvious sources are available.

"I learned to get water from places I never expected, like cutting apart a banana tree, I never would have done that," said Cpl. Timothy Adamovage, a combat engineer with Combat Assault Company (CAC).

One method they demonstrated involved cutting vines to produce water, a method they explained worked with many other wild plants, many of which contain a large amount of water. The task is to extract it, the instructor said. Using a plastic bag filled with leaves, the Thai Marines were able to produce almost a cup of water by shaking the foliage and collecting the water at the bottom of the bag.

To demonstrate the variety of water-bearing jungle vegetation, the trainer showed the U.S. Marines a 12-foot long table covered with edible leaves, roots, stems, fruit and other jungle plants he had collected.

Cpl. Robert B. Montgomery, a rifleman with CAC, said he was willing to try all the vegetation on the table.

"Some of it was disgusting, some of it was pretty all right," said Cpl. Robert B. Montgomery, a rifleman with CAC. "They just kept handing us stuff left and right."

The Thai hosts also showed their guests how to catch and kill wild game using snares and various other traps made from bamboo and twine. Next, they demonstrated several different ways to start a fire using flint, a bow and stick, a battery, various chemicals and even an M16-powered time fuse.

After the Thai Marines thoroughly explained the different processes of making fire, the trainers focused their guests' attention on some live cobras.

The Thai Marines demonstrated how to handle the snakes from different approaches, including grabbing them from behind and dangling them by the tail in midair, a technique designed to prevent the snakes from wrapping around a handler's arm or biting him.

"It was a thrill, getting to experience a little bit of snake handling," said Cpl. Andrew Carlson, an amphibious assault vehicle crewman with CAC.

After the demonstration, the Marines were taught how to skin and gut a snake. Their hosts then challenged them to drink the snake's blood, telling them that, according to Thai tradition, the person who drinks the blood would be believed to inherit the snake's virility and strength.

Without hesitation, the U.S. Marines accepted the challenge, drinking the cobra's blood straight from the snake.

Cobra handling wrapped up the Thai survival training, leaving both groups of Marines laughing and smiling. As some from the U.S. reviewed the pictures on their digital cameras, others thanked the Thais for the survival tips and expressed how much they enjoyed the training.

CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military exercises between the United States and several Southeast Asia nations designed to promote operational readiness and cooperation.

Source - http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37919

[VAMAN]

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Soldiers assist a colleague who was injured during a jungle raid in southern Thailand's Yala Province June 23, 2008. Security forces killed six suspected Muslim rebels in southern Thailand on Monday, where all rail services have been halted after a brutal weekend attack on a train, police said

[VAMAN]

Chinese, Thai militaries vow to further co-op

www.chinaview.cn 2008-07-01 23:03:33

BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- China and Thailand pledged to increase exchanges between the two militaries in a meeting of Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday.

Liang, also a state councilor, said the two armed forces had maintained frequent high-level exchanges, and the defense and security consultation mechanism had been improved in recent years.

He said China would work with Thailand to improve military cooperation.

Samak, also Thai defense minister, said the two forces had kept close contact, and Thailand was ready to push forward relations with China.

Samak arrived on Monday after for a four-day visit to China, his first since he was appointed prime minister in January.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/01/content_8471589.htm

[VAMAN]

Bangkokpost - Saturday July 12, 2008

First-ever Sino-Thai war games kick off

'Strike 2008' aimed at combating terrorism

SUBIN KHEUNKAEW & ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT

The first-ever Thai-Chinese joint military exercise in Thailand aimed at suppressing international terrorism kicked off in Chiang Mai yesterday. The exercise, which involves troops from the 5th Special Forces Regiment in Chiang Mai's Mae Rim district and their Chinese counterparts from Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong province, is coded-named ''Strike 2008.''

It was the first time the Guangzhou army has sent its troops to take part in joint training outside its country, said Maj-Gen Zheng Qin, deputy commander of the Guangzhou army, who co-chaired the opening ceremony.

Maj-Gen Suparat Pattanawisut, commander of the special force unit, represented Thailand at the ceremony.

The Guangzhou army deputy chief said China chose to send its troops as Thailand has lent cooperation to China.

The joint exercise, which will last until the end of the month, will be carried out under the framework of the fight against international terrorism.

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A Chinese soldier looks through his telescopic sight attached to an assault rifle during the first-ever Thai-Chinese joint military exercise in Thailand, which kicked off yesterday in Chiang Mai's Mae Rim district. -- SUBIN KHEUNKAEW

The exercise will also boost military cooperation with Thailand and safeguard regional peace and stability, he said. Most of the activities will be held in Chiang Mai's Samoeng district.

Divided into four stages, the exercise will cover combat techniques, tactics and drills. The two armed forces will also send delegations to observe the training and attend the opening and closing ceremonies.

Last July, the two countries held their first joint training exercise in Guangzhou.

A Chinese soldier said he was excited as the joint exercise would give him an opportunity to use Western-made weapons, particularly those made in the United States.

China's armed forces have gradually stepped up military cooperation in recent years, resulting in 25 joint drills and two combined training exercises with 21 countries.

Chulalongkorn University associate professor on political science, Surachart Bumrungsuk, said Sino-Thai military cooperation has been proceeding for some time but the first-ever joint military exercise in Thailand might reflect an improvement in relations between US-Asean and Asean-China.

''China has been participating as an observer in the Thai-US Cobra Gold exercise. Still, any closer relations between Thailand and China should be well-balanced,'' said Mr Surachart.

Vorasakdi Mahatdhanobol, a China expert from the same faculty, said Thailand's closer ties with China are being monitored by its Asean neighbours.

The US agenda against terrorism in the Southeast Asian region has made some Asean members uneasy and they were now keener on cooperation with China, which was also embracing its own anti-terrorism policy, said Mr Vorasakdi.

Associate Professor Panitan Wattanayagorn from Chulalongkorn University's political science faculty said the US was concerned about intensified military cooperation between Thailand and China.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/120708_News/12Jul2008_news06.php

[VAMAN]

Thursday July 17, 2008

Troop build-up at border

Incursion claims, two sides to meet Monday

BANGKOK POST AND AGENCIES

Thailand and Cambodia will hold an urgent meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on Monday to defuse the growing tension over the listing of the old Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.

The decision comes as both countries are sending troop reinforcements to the sensitive border area.

Lt-Gen Sujit Sithiprapa, commander of the Second Army in charge of the northeastern region, has closed Khao Phra Viharn national park in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket and sealed access to the border in the area, banning visitors from seeing the temple ruins from the Thai side.

The road is now closed from the forestry district office, which is 8km from the borderline at Pha Mor E-Daeng.

The closure means members of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy will be unable to go to the border today as planned.

Si Sa Ket governor Sanee Jittakasem suggested they stage a protest in the district town instead.

About 900 Cambodians living on the mountain where the temple is located have fled their homes for a safer spot lower down, according to Cambodian border unit commander Seng Vuthy.

Three Thai protesters remained in the disputed area to meditate at Wat Phra Viharn, about 200m from the stone staircases leading to the temple. They were released on Tuesday after being detained, but refused to leave the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area.

The GBC, set up by the two countries to solve border issues, will meet for talks in Sa Kaeo province, the Foreign Ministry said.

The committee is co-chaired by the defence ministers of both countries. But it was unclear whether Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej and his Cambodian counterpart Gen Teah Banh will attend the talks or send representatives. The meeting was set for next month. The decision to bring it forward underlines the worry felt by both governments over the growing tension.

Thailand started reinforcing its troops yesterday after army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda ordered the First Special Warfare Unit to stand by at their base in Lop Buri province, and be ready for an airlift to the border in case of an emergency, an army source said.

Troops from the Artillery Regiment and the Third Infantry Division were already on their way to stations close to the border. The reinforcements from the three units would number about 800. Some 150 paramilitary rangers are already in the disputed area.

Air force chief ACM Chalit Phukpasuk assigned F-16 jets to patrol the border in Si Sa Ket yesterday and questioned the detention of three protesters by Cambodian soldiers in the overlapping zone.

"Ownership of the overlapping area is still open. As the boundary has not yet been established, does Cambodia have any right to arrest us if we enter the area?" he said.

Pol Capt Soy Burin of the Cambodian border patrol unit said more Cambodian troops had been sent to guard the ruins.

Phnom Penh has 380 soldiers stationed at the temple, according to Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith.

Despite the presence of more troops at the border, Gen Anupong instructed soldiers to avoid a clash with Cambodian soldiers.

Lt-Gen Sujit insisted on the presence of Thai troops in the disputed area unless Cambodia moves its soldiers out.

"If Cambodia does not withdraw its soldiers, we won't either, because it is the overlapping area," he said.

Mr Khieu Kanharith backed off his assertion on Tuesday that Thai troops had been captured in Cambodia, saying it was a misunderstanding.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told the public to remain calm and not to "inflame [the situation] or add fuel to the fire".

http://www.bangkokpost.com/170708_News/17Jul2008_news01.php

[VAMAN]

Thailand unveils locally-developed bullet proof jacket

BANGKOK, July 9 (TNA) – The Thailand Textile Institute unveiled a locally-developed bullet proof jacket which is much less expensive than the imported Kevlar fabric, it was announced Wednesday.

Dr. Somprasong Phasaprathet of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RUT) said the Thai-developed product has a quality standard having parity with the imported versions.

Dr. Somprasong, who led a team of researchers in developing the body armour suit, said the locally made jackets cost about Bt20,000 (US$ 597)each, while an imported version cost double.

The innovation uses 100 per cent locally-sourced material and was the pioneer project of the textile industry, under the supervision of the Thailand Textile Institute.

The bullet proof jacket uses 80 layers of technical textile weighs around Kg 4-4.5 which was the same weight as a Kevlar bullet proof jackets, Dr.Somprasong said.

It would be issued to officials working in high-risk areas in Thailand's four southernmost provinces.

RUT Thanyaburi's Department of Textile Engineering developed technical textile bullet proof jacket with support from the Ministry of Defence.

Dr.Somprasong said that the project began three years ago with financial support from Ministry of Defence, Thailand Textile Institute with the objective to produce the bullet proof jacket for domestic use.

Having lower-priced body protection gear means that the same budget could cover the production cost of more jackets, he said, adding that the team of researchers planned to develop the product to compete in the world market.

Moreover, the local innovation had already passed the standards test of the Defence Industry and Energy Centre, Ministry of Defence, he added. (TNA)

General News : Last Update : 18:32:12 9 July 2008 (GMT+7:00)

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=5153

[VAMAN]

Thai FM clarifies troop deployment at Ta Muen Thom

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

The Thai foreign ministry defended on Monday the deployment of troops at the ruin of Ta Muen Thom temple in the Northeastern Thai province of Surin.

Thai FM clarifies troop deployment at Ta Muen Thom

The troops have been over there for years, said the ministry's chief spokesman Tharit Charungvat.

However, Var Kimhong, chairman of the Cambodia Border Committee, told Agence France Pressethat Ta Muen is in Cambodia's territory.

Cambodia also alleged that Thailand had occupied the ruin since 1998 by sending 70 Thai troops to protect the historical site.

The Thai foreign ministry, however, dismissed Cambodia's claim of alleged Thai encroachment.

Earlier, Thailand and Cambodia were also locked in a border military stand-off over the Preah Vihear Temple following the listing of this ancient Hindu ruin as a World Heritage site.

Ta Muen Thom, the 13th-century Hindu temple situated on the Thai-Cambodian border, is a group of three pagodas.

The area is part of the disputed boundary where demarcation has not yet completed.

According to Tharit, the presence of Thai troops should not be seen as a cause of conflict since both countries have armed forces to provide safety in the area.

"Thailand has not bosted the number of troops," he added.

Commander of the Thai Armed Forces, Gen Boonsrang Niumpradit, yesterday called on Cambodia to pull back its troops from the area to avoid a further dispute.

But Cambodia's Defense Minister Tea Banh did not respond to the call, he said.

According to Thai authorities, the Ta Muen complex is in Thai territory as evidenced by the Fine Arts Department's registration of the ancient ruin as a Thai national archeological site 73 years ago.

Meanwhile Thailand has nominated Prasat Ta Muen Thom, which becomes the latest border dispute with Cambodia, to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage site, Fine Arts Department director general Kriengkrai Sampatchalit said Monday.

The Unesco is scheduled to consider the Thai nomination of the Prasat Ta Muen Thom and other Prasats in Surin, Buri Ram and Nakhon Ratchasima under "the Khmer Civilisation Route," in its meeting next year, he said.

"It is true that the Prasat is located just about 100 metres from the border in the Thai soil. The Fine Arts Department has found and registered as one our Thai ancient items since 1935, or about 73 years ago," he said.

The Thai side has since then renovated it and opened it for public long time ago, he said, adding the Cambodian government has acknowledged the renovation and all activities related to the place.

Kriengkrai also responded to a latest report last week that the Khmer troops tried to cross the border to visit the place, but the Thai army declined their attempt. The Khmer troops reportedly intended to station there.

He said Prasat Ta Muen Thom has usually welcomed all visitors but the Thai army stepped in to take care of the Khmer visit because they came in uniform and were armed with weapons.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/04/national/national_30079699.php

[VAMAN]

PREAH VIHEAR DISPUTE
Thailand and Cambodia will adjust military presence at the temple

By The Nation
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to "adjust" military deployment around the Preah Vihear Temple in a bid to ease military tension in the area.

Emerging after a marathon talk, Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong said they agreed that both sides should exercise utmost restraint and seek futher peaceful solution to solve the problem.

However Hor Nam Hong did not elaborate how to adjust the military presence in the area.

The military adjustment would not afftect to sovereignty over the territory and has no implication to the boundary demarcation, he said.

He and his Thai counterpart; Tej Bunnag, hold a meeting at a hotel in Cambodia's Siem Reap province on Monday, which was the second of its kind to solve the border tension around the temple.

The meeting started at about 10am and ended almost 12 hours later. Both delegations had to postpone their flights, pending the negotiation.

"They agreed both side should exercise utmost restraint and seek futher peaceful solution to solve the problem," Hor Nam Hong said.

Both sides also support de-mining and land demacration in the area.

The first meeting in Thailand's Sa Kaew which was chaired by Thai Supreme Commander Gen Boonsang Niempradit and Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Tea Banh ended without solution.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/28...al_30079222.php