(Photo: Reuters)Cambodia's absence from the Cobra Gold military drill this year signals a persistent lack of trust between Thailand and Cambodia, analysts say. Cobra Gold, the largest and the longest-running multinational military exercise in mainland Asia, has been hosted in Thailand annually since 1982. Amid ongoing border tensions, analysts say trust between Thailand and Cambodia remains fragile. Chaiwat Khamchoo, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science, said Cambodia would likely feel discomfort and distrust if it were to join Cobra Gold this year. On the other hand, he also does not see Thailand joining if Cambodia were to host a military exercise.

Source: Bangkok Post March 04, 2026 02:01 UTC