Thailand and US participate in military exercises

Over 300 Thai and American marines and soldiers participated in a range of military drills off the coast of Thailand on Friday, as the 39th Cobra Gold exercise entered its fourth day. The troops staged a joint landing operation using amphibious vehicles on the beach in Sattahip, Chonburi Province.

South Korea's military, which had taken part in previous years, did not take part in Friday's exercise.

The counry sharply reduced the number of personnel it was sending to the 11-day exercise from about 400 to 30 - all senior level officers to take part only in a command post exercise, not field manoeuvres.

US Marine Corps Captain George McArthur said about 150 US service members from South Korea's Osan Airbase, had been deployed to the exercise in Thailand.

However, they were subject to health screening before departure and after their arrival.

35 additional medical personnel have been deployed, and extra medicinal supplies are in place, alongside prevention and mitigation measures.

Cobra Gold, co-organised by Thai and US forces, is the biggest activity of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region.

Over 9,000 soldiers are involved during the 11-day long exercise which includes field military operations, humanitarian assistance and cyber security drills.