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Published on July 18, 2007

The exercises in Guangzhou between the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Royal Thai Army started on Monday and will last for two weeks, according to Xinhua dispatches in Chinese and English yesterday.

The training exercise comes as a surprise, as Thailand has just completed the annual Cobra Gold exercise with the United States. The US-Thai exercise in May was scaled down due to political uncertainty after the September 19 coup.

The joint exercise with China is under the leadership of PLA Guangzhou commander Zhang Qinshen. Thailand is represented by the Royal Thai Army's assistant chief of staff Lt Gen Malai Keewtiang, who attended the opening ceremony.

"The training is a new method of cooperation for Chinese and foreign military forces," Zhang said at the launch ceremony. "Compared with joint military exercises, the combined training means cooperation in a deeper sense," he said.

Lt Gen Malai said the training showcased the substantial cooperation between the armies of China and Thailand.

"As combined training generally lasts longer than a joint military exercise, this offers trainees more opportunities to closely observe another military force regarding arms, equipment, campaign-related thinking and personnel quality," Zhang said.

China and Thailand held a joint search and rescue exercise in December 2005. Since then, the two countries have planned and prepared for the combined training exercise.

The military exercise was one of the agreements signed during Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's visit to China at the end of March. Both countries vowed to strengthen military cooperation and joint exercises.

Zhang said the training, which will end on July 29, would help deter terrorist forces and safeguard regional peace and stability.

An informed Thai military official, who asked not to be identified, said China was eager to help Thailand cope with security threats, especially those that require use of Special Forces units.

The exercise, which involves 30 officers from both armies' Special Forces, is code-named "Strike 2007".

Previously, both the US and India have provided limited assistance in training the Thai Army in counter-terrorism tactics.

The joint training has three stages beginning with military demonstrations, followed by a series of workshops including combat techniques and jungle crossing, and ending with "synthesis drilling" and a study of tactics deployed by Special Forces.

These exercises were very comprehensive, the source said. They were aimed at training Thai Special Forces in various techniques and tactics to counter any potential terrorist attack.

The joint training marks a new chapter in Chinese military history and strengthens its ties with the Thai Army, the Xinhua report said. It would also foster future cooperation between the PLA and other foreign troops.

Kavi Chongkittavorn

The Nation