National —
Tens of thousands of military personnel from over 30 countries have descended upon Thailand for “Cobra Gold 2024,” a large-scale joint military exercise scheduled from February 26th to March 8th. This year’s iteration marks a return to full-scale operations after being scaled down for the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Video footage of the opening ceremony can be seen here on our YouTube channel.
According to Mr. Jirayu Houngsub, the Ministry of Defense spokesperson, the 43rd Cobra Gold exercise will incorporate “Muay Thai,” the traditional Thai martial art, into the training exercises as a means of promoting Thai soft power.
Beyond the military aspects, Cobra Gold 2024 is expected to significantly impact the Thai economy, particularly in tourist hotspots like Pattaya, Jomtien, Bang Saray, and other locations across the eastern provinces, including Chonburi, Rayong, Lopburi, and other designated areas.
“Cobra Gold serves as a valuable platform not only for military training but also for promoting academic exchanges, expertise, and military technology,” Mr. Jirayu stated. “The exercise also strengthens the ability to manage disaster relief and contributes significantly to the local economy by boosting spending in the region.”
Co-hosted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the United States Indo-Pacific Command, Cobra Gold holds a long-standing tradition as one of the largest and longest-running military exercises in Southeast Asia. It aims to enhance multinational cooperation, military capabilities, and disaster response preparedness while fostering positive economic impacts on Thailand’s eastern region.
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