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.


^ 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.


^ 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.


^ 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.

Exercise COBRA GOLD 2008






^ 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.


^ 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.


^ 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.

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.

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.

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.

Get a passport lol and wait till next year?

yeah i'd be off okinawa by then.

Well then, i guess you could come during holiday time

Thai riot policemen in Bangkok.

^^^^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.

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

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

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.


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

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

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

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

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

I have read in another forum that the Thai soldiers in black uniforms are actually a para-military unit called Taharn Phran. They are not Thai Army soldiers.

Taharn Phran, a Thai para-military unit, deploying on the border.


A Thai soldier walks up to a pagoda, as Cambodian soldiers (background), rest on guard near Preah Vihear temple near Thai border in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, 23 July 2008. Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, claiming he feared an 'imminent state of war', appealed to the 15-member UN Security Council to intervene in the Thai-Cambodian dispute over conflicting claims to territory adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple, perched on a cliff that partly defines the two neighbouring countries' common border.


Thai soldiers patrol near the Cekakiri Svarak pagoda of the Preah Vihear temple, about 245 km (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2008. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND)

Alright looks like Thais don't like their military or maybe Thais in AF they are less nationalistic.

Sunday, 3 August 2008 10:06 UK

Thais accused over new temple row

Cambodia has accused Thai troops of occupying a temple complex on Cambodian land, threatening to escalate a row over a separate, disputed temple.

About 70 Thais have been at the 13th Century Ta Moan temple complex since Thursday, the Cambodians say.

The Thai foreign ministry has denied any troops have moved into the area.

The two nations have for weeks been locked in a military stand-off over disputed land further east, around the ancient Preah Vihear temples.

High-level diplomacy has been taking place to resolve the Preah Vihear dispute, which revolves around border areas drawn up by French cartographers a century ago.

And an agreement was reached, following a meeting between foreign ministers from both countries, to reduce troop numbers near the temple.

Prevented access

But Maj Sim Sokha, a Cambodian border-protection officer, told reporters on Sunday that Thai soldiers had been making moves hundreds of miles west of Preah Vihear.

He said the Thai troops had been deployed in an 80m (262ft) radius around the Ta Moan Thom temple ground, and had prevented Cambodian troops from entering.

He said about 40 Cambodian soldiers were in close proximity to the Thai troops, but had been ordered to exercise restraint while the government tries to resolve the issue with Thailand.

"[Thai troops] said they will pull back only when the issue near Preah Vihear temple is resolved," he told the Associated Press by telephone.

The Ta Moan complex is in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, which shares much of its border with the Thai province of Surin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7539412.stm

Thai-Cambodian Standoff


Commander of the 2nd Army of Royal Thai Army observing the dispute area yesterday. Photo by Posttoday.com


Thai artillery station near Thai-Cambodian border.

nah. they just dont want to show it off. i've six pack abe muscles and 9 inches long d!ck. i'm not telling anyone here. i like to keep it to myself.

Nice reply.

EDITORIAL
The military must adapt

There is much to learn from previous counter-insurgent successes against communists and Malay separatists

Published on January 18, 2008

It doesn't take an expert to tell that the Thai military is in need of a drastic overhaul, something that it has consistently failed to do over the years. The armed forces personnel remain high at about 300,000 almost two decades after the end of the Cold War and victories over the communist insurgency in the late 1980s and the previous generation of armed separatists in the South. Instead of reforming and transforming into a leaner, more effective professional fighting force capable of meeting changing national security requirements, the military has deteriorated into a bloated bureaucracy. Troops are poorly trained and are commanded by desk-bound officers with little or no combat experience. Hundreds of generals have no clear job descriptions.

Last year, an exasperated former Army chief, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, lamented the military's low morale and poor performance as reflected in the worsening situation in the deep South. It was brave of Sonthi to own up to the Army's mistakes and shortcomings. But whether such criticism has led to any effort among the rank and file to right the wrongs, to improve the Army's battle-readiness, remains very much in doubt.

Four years after the beginning of the insurgency by Islamic militants/Malay separatists in the deep South, it is impossible to ignore the failure of the Army to achieve its objectives: to suppress the insurgency, protect the civilian population and restore peace or at least a semblance of law and order in the strife-torn region.

The insurgents are still able to carry out their campaign to terrorise local people through random murders, planting bombs at busy public places, ambushing military convoys, and inflicting heavy casualties on soldiers who have received inadequate training in counter-insurgency tactics.

Even after four years of the struggle against the insurgents, the Army still has not set up rapid deployment forces that can be dispatched to provide reinforcements, rescue wounded soldiers and pursue insurgents.

Soldiers under attack are left to their own devices and the wounded are almost always not rescued in time. Often they are finished off execution-style and they are mutilated or decapitated. Under such circumstances, it is understandable that the tens of thousands of troops in the deep South suffer from low morale.

Employing hit-and-run tactics, insurgents can always hide among the civilian population, plotting more attacks. At the same time, the Army not only lacks good intelligence but also has serious difficulty in keeping its operational plans secret, thus endangering the lives of its own troops. The recent arrest of three Army intelligence officers and seven policemen suspected of spying for the insurgents is unsettling.

The effort by the Army to win the hearts and minds of the people also is not working. Obviously, an Army that is incapable of protecting its own men does not inspire confidence among ordinary people under fire. Locals naturally refuse to cooperate with the authorities for fear of reprisal by ruthless militants.

It is only fair to ask what has the Army learned, if anything, in the past four years? How has it adjusted its tactics and strategies? Porous land and sea borders with Malaysia continue to be largely unguarded - why? Who among the military's top brass will provide the leadership to reform the Army, Navy and Air Force?

How long can this series of military blunders go on before the armed forces loses the will to fight altogether?

It may be true that a lasting peace in the deep South can be achieved through political settlement, through peace talks at the negotiation table. But it cannot be emphasised enough that an effective military - with the will, knowledge and ability to fight insurgents - must go hand in hand with any political initiative.

As a democratic country, Thailand must not be forced to negotiate with hate-filled insurgents, certainly not under fire, and not when innocent civilians continue to be terrorised and victimised. The military has much to learn from Thailand's previous successes in suppressing communist insurgents in the mid-1980s and the previous generation of Malay separatists in the early 1990s. And - if peace is to be restored in the troubled region - it must adopt and adapt much more quickly.

The Nation

you are really into army stuff. damn, i miss that siri guy.

Oh yes I am, and also current affairs. We should be aware of the happenings around the world. Thanks to siri he also started Indian army thread.

We need some good ledership

Can half Thais join the Thai Army?

Beijing Olympics 2008


Lieutenant Somjit Jongcohor of Royal Thai Army. The gold medal winner of flyweight 51 kg division boxing in Beijing 2008. As a reward, he will be promoted to Captian when he come back to Thailand.


Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakul, the gold medal winner of women's 53kg weightlifting in Beijing 2008. She will apply for the job in Royal Thai Army after the game and RTA is looking to accept her request.

We still need better equipment like a better tank for our army at south ,just for the sake of safe their life

A Thai soldier stands guard near the Cekakiri Svarak pagoda of the Preah Vihear temple, about 245 km (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2008

Approval for guns, vessel, Klong Dan

PRADIT RUANGDIT

UDON THANI : The cabinet yesterday approved a 6.2-billion-baht budget for the army and navy to buy weapons and other equipment under a plan to modernise the defence forces.

All deals will be made through government-to-government contracts, government spokesman Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote Sukchoterat said.

The army received permission to purchase 531 Negev rifles made in Israel at a cost of 140 million baht and to sign a long-term financial commitment to buy 15,037 Tavor rifles, also from Israel, for another one billion baht. The Tavor deal is over three years, from now until 2010.

The army emphasised the firearms were needed to replace weapons which were in poor condition, the spokesman said.

The cabinet also approved an agreement with Russia to purchase portable air-defence systems at a cost of 132 million baht and a long-term financial commitment for five years to buy a landing craft for five billion baht.

Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote said the cabinet also approved the completion of the Klong Dan water treatment project in Samut Prakan, which has been been on hold for over a decade because of corruption cases.

Since 92% of the construction had already been completed, the cabinet agreed it was better to finish the project, he said.

Source - http://www.bangkokpost.com/100908_News/10Sep2008_news13.php

Funding approved for weapons, new Parliament

By The Nation, Agencies
Published on September 10, 2008

Udon Thani - The Cabinet yesterday approved large amounts of funds to build a new Parliament house complex and to buy military weapons, government spokesmen said.

The decision came a few hours before the Constitution Court read its verdict disqualifying Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for his involvement as an employee in two television cooking shows.

At its mobile meeting in the Northeastern province, the Cabinet endorsed a request by the House of Representatives' Secretariat for Bt774 million to build the new parliamentary compound at Bangkok's Kiak Kai area, said Deputy Government Spokesman Nattawut Saikua.

"The prime minister told the Cabinet meeting that the construction project for the new Parliament will continue, and the Kiak Kai area has been considered the most suitable for the project," he said.

The Government House compound has not been used since anti-government protesters began occupying the grounds two weeks ago.

The Cabinet yesterday also approved the purchase of military weapons worth more than Bt6 billion, Government Spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat told reporters.

The deal includes a Bt4.9-billion amphibious frigate, a small aircraft, a laser mapping system and thousands of rifles and other light weapons.

"It's related to the Defence Ministry and internal security," the spokesman said.

The announcement was made before the court ordered Samak, who was also the defence minister, to resign for accepting payments for hosting television cooking shows but that was not expected to have an impact on the arms purchase.

The government approved the purchase of thousands of rifles and other light arms from Israel, as well as shoulder-fired missiles from Russia, the spokesman said.

The frigate will be built in Thailand, he said.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/10/politics/politics_30083054.php

We will never go to war with you great people

Yes , as long as you are a thai citizen.
Enlisting is a option , as most thai men will be of national service age at 21 years, but if you want to bee a officer in the Military you pretty much need to decide your future carrer path when your in high school.

^
IF enlisted with a diploma, what rank do you get from the start?!
I am 19 years old and a 2nd year ABAC student..
I really am intrested in getting into the Royal Thai Marines but have no idea upon how to get into it!

Thai army ready to defend sovereignty

Thai troops will remain at the Thai-Cambodian border area, and they are fully ready to protect the country’s sovereignty, Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Royal Thai Army’s statement, it will not withdraw its troops from the disputed border because the territory belongs to Thailand.

Earlier Tuesday, Brig-Gen Yim Pin, the Cambodian army chief, claimed that all Thai soldiers had retreated approximately a kilometre from the disputed border area.

“The three armed forces of Thailand together with their reinforcements are prepared for the potential armed confrontations in the border area to defend the country’s sovereignty. The Supreme Commander Songkitti Jakkabatra will report the army’s information to Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat,” Col Sansern said.

He said the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs will determine on the return of Thai people living in Cambodia.

The Thai armed forces have already coordinated with each other to bring back Thai people from Cambodia, once the army received the government’s order, Col Sansern said.

The army spokesman still believed that negotiations between both countries should be a better alternative to settle the border row.

Thailand will not launch an offensive first, but if Cambodia encroaches into Thailand’s territory, the Thai army is ready to confront any incident to protect the country’s sovereignty, Col Sansern concluded.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=131412

Damn. I hope nothing happens.

Thai, Cambodia armies to meet after border battle

16 Oct 2008 00:12:39 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Chor Sokunthea

PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Thai and Cambodian military commanders prepared for talks across their disputed border on Thursday after the most serious clash in years left two Cambodian soldiers dead and 10 Thais in Cambodian hands.

Despite Wednesday's 40-minute exchange of rocket and gun fire, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said a scheduled meeting to resolve arguments over the jungle frontier would go ahead, suggesting escalation was not inevitable.

"It is a good sign that we can start to solve this conflict," he told reporters in Phnom Penh after an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen about the fighting near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.

"We consider this an incident between soldiers and not an invasion by Thailand," Hor Namhong said.

The talks were due to begin at 11 a.m. (0400) at a location near the disputed temple, known to Thais as Khao Phra Viharn.

Thai regional army commander Wiboonsak Neeparn told Reuters the meeting would focus on the cause of Wednesday's clash and how to ratchet down tensions on the border, where both sides have rushed reinforcements.

There has been no word on the exchange of 10 Thai prisoners, whose existence Bangkok is officially denying.

Hor Namhong said the group, who were photographed by a Reuters photographer under Cambodian guard, would be properly treated and returned to Thailand if Bangkok requested.

Bangkok has urged its citizens to leave Cambodia, mindful of the 2003 torching of its embassy and Thai businesses in Phnom Penh by a nationalist mob incensed by a row over Angkor Wat, another ancient temple.

"Thai businessmen who have no need to be in Cambodia now, please rush back to Thailand," Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat told reporters, adding that the military had an evacuation plan ready if needed.

In 2003, Thai commandos flew into Phnom Penh airport in the middle of the night to help evacuate 600 Thais during the riots.

Security was beefed up outside the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, with 20 military police armed with assault rifles standing guard.

Both sides accused each other of firing first in the clash, which comes amid huge political instability in Bangkok, with protesters in a long-running street campaign urging the army to launch a coup against the elected government.

"The Thai military are very much under pressure to protect the national sovereignty and territory," Panitan Wattanayagorn, a military analyst at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University said. (Additional reporting by Nopporn Wong-Anan in KANTARALAK) (Writing by Ed Cropley; Editing by Darren Schuettler and Valerie Lee)

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BKK103342.htm

I think so, as long as you have Thai citizenship.



Its too late for me now to decide




Probably private, sine you have to do basic training to youre specialty. Then you get your rank.

Thais should focus on the issues in southern Thailand then disputing 4.6 sq km with Cambodians who have similar culture. The situation in southern Thailand is much worse than you would think.

I agree with you but there is nothing the government can do about it. The government is too corrupt, and also due to political turmoil in the country. ......I miss Siri, I loved the pictures he posted,

is there a dont ask dont tell policy?>