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Reuters

Thailand and China were in talks about building military production facilities in Thailand, a Thai defence ministry spokesman said on Wednesday, the latest sign of warming relations between China and America’s oldest ally in Asia.
Relations between Thailand and the United States cooled following a May 2014 military coup which the Thai military said was necessary to end months of unrest, including street protests that led to the ousting of an elected government.
The US has said relations can not return to normal until democracy is restored. The generals running Thailand have promised an election for next year.
WHY NO ONE WANTS TO RULE THAILAND OTHER THAN THE MILITARY
Since the coup, the military government has sought to counterbalance US ties by developing relations with China. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan met his Chinese counterpart, Chang Wanquan, during a visit to Beijing last week.

“The defence minister told his Chinese counterpart that we are interested in setting up facilities to repair and maintain the Chinese equipment we currently have in our arsenal,” ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich said. “We will also look to their expertise in producing small arms and other security-related equipment like drones.”
Thailand had also held talks with Russia about setting up similar production facilities, said Kongcheep, without giving details.
After death of Thai king, just how strong are China’s ties with key regional ally?
Following the 2014 coup, the US froze security and defence aid to Thailand. It has also scaled back annual military exercises citing concern about Thailand’s political development.
Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election has also raised questions about prospects for a US “pivot” towards Asia, a central policy of outgoing US President Barack Obama.
“If the US is unable to back up its regional role ... the regional states have no other choice but to accommodate Beijing,” said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University.
Kongcheep said military relations with the US were expected to get back on track after Thailand’s election. “The relationship is not yet perfect,” he said. “Once Thailand returns to democracy, I expect the relationship to return to normal.”


Thailand seeks to develop military production facilities with China

Thai soldiers line up during a joint military exercise with China at a military base in Chonburi province in Thailand in May. Photo: EPA

China's J-10 fighter jets from the People's Liberation Army Air Force August 1st Aerobatics Team perform during a media demonstration at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, November 24, 2015. Thailand's military held an air show with China on Tuesday ahead of joint manoeuvres in a sign of warming ties, but Thailand said it was not distancing itself from the United States which downgraded the military relationship following a 2014 coup. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

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Talks include provision of small arms and other security-related equipment such as drones, Thai defence spokesman says


Thailand seeks to develop military production facilities with China

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Talks include provision of small arms and other security-related equipment such as drones, Thai defence spokesman says

Talks include provision of small arms and other security-related equipment such as drones, Thai defence spokesman says