Low possibility, Malaysia itself, or Cambodia or even a defensive counter-landing on Thailand itself. Historically, Thailand was the nucleus of some rather low key but pivotal events.
Example: In WWII, the Japanese landed on Thai soil to kick off their invasion of Malaya as it was easier to do an assault landing there than in the teeth of Malayan defences. Unfortunately, that left the Thais as collateral damage (oops, we took over your country in passing, too bad old chap...)
During the Cold War, Thailand was the tripwire line that if the NVA had crossed, it would have signaled a general offensive, something like East and West Germany at that time. There were some probes, enough to cause China to start the 2nd? 3rd? Sino-Vietnam war to try force Vietnam to recall troops to its' own rear borders.
It's a bit of a pity that their country is in such a mess now. Oh well, that would pass in time.
The Thai aricraft carrier is a Spanish carrier, PrÃncipe de Asturias style, that can carry Harrier jets only. It is typically docked at Chuk Samet port down the road from Utapao airport. In three months, while deployed there for Cobra Gold in 2006, I saw it away from port for a total of 2 days. It seems to be more of a tourist stop than anything else, judging from the non-stop tour busses that came through there. During that time, I never once saw the squadron of Harriers that came with the carrier fly.
Those M60's need some skirt armor.
ReplyDeleteSo what hypotheticial country are they drilling to land on? Philippines? Cambodia?
ReplyDeleteLow possibility, Malaysia itself, or Cambodia or even a defensive counter-landing on Thailand itself. Historically, Thailand was the nucleus of some rather low key but pivotal events.
DeleteExample: In WWII, the Japanese landed on Thai soil to kick off their invasion of Malaya as it was easier to do an assault landing there than in the teeth of Malayan defences. Unfortunately, that left the Thais as collateral damage (oops, we took over your country in passing, too bad old chap...)
During the Cold War, Thailand was the tripwire line that if the NVA had crossed, it would have signaled a general offensive, something like East and West Germany at that time. There were some probes, enough to cause China to start the 2nd? 3rd? Sino-Vietnam war to try force Vietnam to recall troops to its' own rear borders.
It's a bit of a pity that their country is in such a mess now. Oh well, that would pass in time.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=68FdSCJ0NkY&feature=youtube_gdata_player
ReplyDeleteThailand does deploy an aircraft carrier.
ReplyDeleteThe Thai aricraft carrier is a Spanish carrier, PrÃncipe de Asturias style, that can carry Harrier jets only. It is typically docked at Chuk Samet port down the road from Utapao airport. In three months, while deployed there for Cobra Gold in 2006, I saw it away from port for a total of 2 days. It seems to be more of a tourist stop than anything else, judging from the non-stop tour busses that came through there. During that time, I never once saw the squadron of Harriers that came with the carrier fly.
ReplyDeleteNo Harriers, they got sold off to balance the budget. The carrier now operates more like a helicopter carrier than an aircraft carrier.
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