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[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Thailand has announced that it will resume joint air force exercises with China for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The training location, a base previously used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War, has attracted international attention. As Thailand, the oldest U.S. ally in Asia, strengthens its pro-China stance, competition for influence between the U.S. and China in Southeast Asia is expected to intensify.

According to the Bangkok Post, a local Thai media outlet, the Royal Thai Air Force announced in a statement on the 9th that it will conduct joint air force exercises with the Chinese military at the Udon Thani airbase in northeastern Thailand for 11 days starting from the 14th. Named "Falcon Strike," the exercises were previously held from 2015 to 2019 but were suspended due to COVID-19 and are now resuming after three years.

Particularly, the Udon Thani airbase, where the exercises are scheduled, was used by the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, drawing more attention to the background. As Thailand, the oldest U.S. ally in Asia, strengthens its pro-China stance, the competition for influence between the U.S. and China is expected to intensify.

The U.S. and Thailand are known as traditional allies, approaching their 190th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. However, relations deteriorated after current Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha took power through a coup in 2014 and adopted a pro-China stance. Thailand recently explored purchasing the U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jets, but the U.S. government has not given a definitive response.

As relations with the U.S. worsened, Thailand has strengthened military cooperation with China. In 2016, Thailand imported 28 Chinese tanks, followed by submarines in 2017 and amphibious assault ships in 2019, continuing the acquisition of Chinese weapons.

The U.S. government is also working to restore relations with Thailand and counter China. Recently, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Thailand consecutively, and it was announced that the joint exercise "Cobra Gold," held between the two countries, will resume starting next year.