In Thailand on Monday began the largest in the Asia-Pacific Region (APR) international military maneuvers «Cobra Gold» (Cobra Gold). They are attended by 24 countries, including the United States, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan, informs «Pacific Russia».

According to the Charge d’Affaires Patrick Murphy, due to political differences between the two key players — Washington and Bangkok — exercises are in a truncated format. «We do not deny that this period (bilateral relations) is complex and required us to modify the exercises, while Thailand is on its way back to democracy», — said Murphy during the opening ceremony of the maneuvers that take place on the territory of the Kingdom in the 34 th time.

Earlier, the US condemned the military coup that took place in Thailand in May 2014, to «freeze» the royal armed forces assistance in the amount of 4.7 million dollars. According to the US Embassy in Thailand, the number of US troops participating in the exercise Cobra Gold this year decreased by 700 people — up to 3.6 thousand. Maneuvers also involved about four thousand. Soldiers in Thailand and 10 thousand. Soldiers from other countries. The backbone of which is accounted for Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

As reported by the Thai media for the first time in large-scale maneuvers participates China. Several Chinese soldiers admitted to selective practical training. Last year, China for the first time joined the exercises as an observer.

US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Daniel Russel, who visited Bangkok in early February, said the Cobra Gold exercises this year «will be refocused in favor of humanitarian missions and disaster relief.» The scenario involves practicing maneuvers interaction during a humanitarian disaster, evacuation, a special operation to eliminate the pirates. Doctrine, which will last until February 20, include staff and field part, will also be held and conferences, reports TASS.