The US has postponed its first meeting for next year's Cobra Gold military exercise with Thailand as the US frets over its relationship with the coup government.
The US embassy in Bangkok confirmed the committee which plans the annual Cobra Gold military drills, the Concept Development Working Group, has delayed its initial planning meeting scheduled to take place from March 24-26 in Hawaii.
Despite the delay, "no decisions have been made regarding the 2016 version of the annual Cobra Gold multilateral exercise", said embassy spokeswoman Melissa Sweeney.
Over the next few months, the US army will discuss the situation with Thailand, the co-host of the exercise, and other participating countries, said Ms Sweeney.
The decision came months after the US scaled down its part in this year's Cobra Gold, which is one of the world's largest multinational military events, as Washington evaluates its relationship with its longtime ally. "Thailand is a valued friend and ally, with whom the US has a long-standing history of strong cooperation," Ms Sweeney said. The US government urges a return to democracy, she said.
In 2014, before the coup, more than 13,000 service members from the US, Thailand and four other countries participated in humanitarian and combat drills as part of the exercise, while 20 other nations sent observers.
In February this year, the US scaled back participation from 8,000 troops in previous years to 3,700.
It also declined to participate in combat exercises due to the political situation in Thailand.
On April 12, US President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Glyn T Davies as the next ambassador to Thailand, after a five-month hiatus since former ambassador Kristie Kenney left.
Though a date has not been set for his confirmation by the Senate, the move has irked coup critics.
"They say it sends the signal that the Obama administration is caving in to the Thai junta,'' said Paul Chambers, Chiang Mai University's Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs.
"Washington is on the verge of throwing in the towel for geopolitical reasons though the US senate still needs to approve the nomination,'' he said.
