Myanmar gets observer status at US-Thai war games

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Myanmar gets observer status at US-Thai war games

Published: 11 Nov 2012 at 01.56
Newspaper section: News

Myanmar will take part in the annual Cobra Gold US-Thai military exercise next year for the first time as an observer, a source at the Defence Ministry said.

The decision to invite Myanmar to join the military drill was reached shortly after US President Barack Obama won a second term in office last week. Mr Obama is visiting Myanmar later this month. The trip, the first time a US president will visit the country, is part of a Southeast Asia tour that will also include stops in Thailand and Cambodia.

According to the source, Thailand had been lobbying for some time for Myanmar to take part in the annual drill.

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ploydonut
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Discussion 11 : 11 Nov 2012 at 23.1511
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I think it is good for war game, then soldier can fight each other without dying. Better than real war and reduce cost also.
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wakeup
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Discussion 10 : 11 Nov 2012 at 19.0110
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I've participated in Cobra Gold as a US Marine - it is war games - real weapons are fired on unsafe firing ranges and literally over people's homes and roads used by civilians. ASEAN is just like the EU - lots of lofty promises but in the end, it is consolidation being done by special interests who will plunder the region and leave it burning (i.e. Greece).
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upena
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Discussion 9 : 11 Nov 2012 at 17.179
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Cobra Gold is not a "war game". The military exercise is Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief - like practicing for a tsunami, flood, or hurricane. Problem in all of the Cobra Gold Exercises I participated in (4), the civilian sector doesn't play - only the military and the US has learned that Police, Early Responders, Fire Fighters, civilian medical folks, and others need to participate to make the exercise worthwhile.
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bkposter
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Discussion 8 : 11 Nov 2012 at 15.018
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D5. The Thai military would be the teacher in that excercise
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buster
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Discussion 7 : 11 Nov 2012 at 14.357
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What's the point in poking at neighbors all the time.
This remarkable transition with Myanmar in the center is based on relentless efforts by the SG ASEAN to get Myanmar on board INTIME.
Regardless sanctions and economic pressure Myanmar is transforming due to diplomatic missions spearheded by A Thai National
The present Secretary General ASEAN.

Join hands he said.....and that's just what's happening now.
Asean .........Together we can !!
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ubuntu
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Discussion 6 : 11 Nov 2012 at 12.066
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Ploydonut; Would also be nice for anyone to apologize for burning down Central World and other businesses. Factions in Thailand stand to make big money from joint projects in Myanmar so why would they jeopardize it for concepts such as righteousness?
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OldThaiHand
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Discussion 5 : 11 Nov 2012 at 12.045
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That's great. The Burmese can pick up some pointers on modern military tactics that they use in their ongoing and violent persecution of the Rohingya.
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soltair
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Discussion 4 : 11 Nov 2012 at 11.104
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ploydonot #3 "I think because Burma burn down Ayuthaya, they must apologise first" What about an apology from your Red friends who burned down shopping Malls in their own country. You obviously never heard of the "putting your foot in your mouth" expression and in true Red style blab first.
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ploydonut
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Discussion 3 : 11 Nov 2012 at 07.243
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I think because Burma burn down Ayuthaya, they must apologise first, then we can forgive, otherwise i am not think we should try to let USA be friend with our enemy ka
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musashi
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Discussion 2 : 11 Nov 2012 at 05.352
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"..Mr Obama would arrive in Bangkok .."

Foreign dignitaries are coming back to Thailand, and welcoming our PM in their countries - clearly an indication that Thailand is no longer considered the pariah state that it was during the junta-appointed government of AV.
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