April 10, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 3, 1429

BANGKOK, April 9: The United States and Thailand will double the number of troops in their annual war games in May, as Washington restores normal military relations with the new elected government in Bangkok.

The Cobra Gold military exercises will take place May 8 to 21 in northern Thailand, focusing on training for peacekeeping missions, Thai General Songkitti Jaggabatara told reporters.

“Personnel will be trained not only in peacekeeping but also other types of assistance, which will help Thai forces prepare for peacekeeping missions in Sudan,” Songkitti told press conference.

About 5,250 Thai personnel and 6,075 US forces will join the exercises, about twice as many as last year, when the exercises were scaled down while Thailand was under a military-backed regime.

The United States had suspended $24 million in military aid to Thailand after the military seized power in 2006. The aid was restored in February after an elected government took office following polls late last year.

In addition to the Thai and US forces, Singapore will send 158 personnel, Indonesia 81, and Japan 67. A total of 14 combat ships and 96 aircraft will be involved.

The US embassy’s deputy chief of mission James Entwistle said the exercises would help prepare for multinational responses to future crises.

Thailand will spent 14 million baht ($444,000) while the United States will spend $17 million on the war games.

In addition to the five main countries participating, Australia, Bangladesh, Britain, Brunei, France, India, Italy, Malaysia, Mongolia and Philippines are also taking part in different roles during the event.—AFP