The United States and Thai military have started discussing joint cooperation plans for next year, including annual military drills, the Thai army's deputy chief of staff says.
Lt Gen Sermsak Niyamosot was speaking after the first of a series of meetings between Thai and American medium-ranking military officials, the so-called Executive Steering Group, which kicked off Tuesday and runs until Friday.
Maj Gen Todd B McCaffrey, US Army Pacific chief of staff, led the US delegation, while Lt Gen Sermsak led the Thai contingent.
The meeting is aimed at reviewing Thai-US military activities this year and working out plans for joint operations next year.
Speaking about US-Thai military ties, Lt Gen Sermsak said the US delegation insisted that Washington did not reduce military assistance to Thailand after the coup and expressed understanding of Thailand's domestic problems.
"Even though we have not yet reached democracy, it will not affect military assistance from the US,'' Gen Sermsak said, adding the Cobra Gold exercise is still on track for next year.