Largest military operation begins in Thailand

Thai soldiers participate in a parade for the Cobra Gold military exercise (Reuters)

The largest multilateral military exercise in the Asia-Pacific has kicked off in Thailand, with the US maintaining a scaled-down presence over a 2014 coup in Bangkok and calling for a swift return to democracy.

The exercise, attended by some 27 countries this year including Australia, also comes amid rising tension in the region following North Korea's latest rocket launch.

It also follows an attack in Jakarta last month that killed eight and was claimed by Islamic State, the radical group's first assault on Indonesia.

A total of 8564 soldiers are involved, with seven countries fully participating - Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and the US.

Australia is among nine other countries participating in multinational planning. The others are Bangladesh, Canada, France, England, Italy, Mongolia, Nepal and the Philippines.

China and India are taking part in conducting humanitarian civic action projects.

The Cobra Gold military exercise has been held annually in Thailand for more than three decades but the US scaled down its presence following a May 2014 coup by the Thai military.

"As in 2015 when the exercise was significantly refocused and scaled down in light of the military coup, in 2016 it will remain somewhat reduced in size ... to reflect US concerns about Thailand's political developments," US ambassador to Thailand Glyn Davies told reporters.

"Diplomatic ties are not on hold with Thailand. Certainly the military ties are not on hold with Thailand."

Washington has sent 3600 troops for this year's exercise, the same as last year, said Major Dave Eastburn, a spokesman for the US military.

Thailand's junta, known as the National Council for Peace and Order, has faced repeated criticism for what rights groups say is a deepening slide into authoritarianism since the army took power.

The military exercise will continue in several provinces in the Central Plains and the East until February 19.

Reuter