Thailand and US begin military exer

[dawnstar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Re: Thailand and US begin military exercises near Myanmar border

any idea of the numbers of us forces engaged in training here?

W. Kesavatana-Dohrs wrote:
> 
> Thailand and US begin military exercises near Myanmar border
> 
> BANGKOK, Oct 19 (AFP) - Thailand and the United States have
> begun military exercises near the border with Myanmar, close to
> where incursions by Myanmar troops took place, senior Thai army
> sources said Tuesday.
> 
> The month-long Balance Torch 00-1 exercises were focusing on
> training infantry for combat in mountainous areas, the officer said.
> 
> The exercises began Monday in the northern province of Mae Hong
> Son, close to the infamous golden triangle drug producing region,
> which covers parts of Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and China.
> 
> US and Thai military officials would not reveal when they began
> planning the joint exercises or how many personnel were involved.
> 
> Thai intelligence sources said the exercise may be in response to
> border incursions by Myanmar troops and the junta's decision to
> close its border with Thailand.
> 
> Thai officials have confirmed their troops exchanged artillery fire with
> Myanmar soldiers on at least one occasion in the past week, after
> they crossed into Mae Hong Son province.
> 
> However, the junta denied its troops had entered Thai territory.
> 
> Ties between Myanmar and Thailand have been greatly strained since
> five gunmen stormed Yangon's embassy here on October 1, holding
> almost 40 people hostage for 25 hours, before fleeing aboard a
> Thai helicopter.