This article discusses the military disparity between Thailand adn Cambodia,highlighting ThailandS substantially larger and better-equipped armed forces.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Thailand’s Military Superiority:
Personnel: Thailand has 361,000 active-duty soldiers, three times the number in Cambodia.
Weapons and equipment: Thailand possesses far more weapons and equipment across all branches.
Air Force: Thailand’s air force is considered top-tier in Southeast Asia, boasting modern Swedish Gripens and dozens of older American F-16 and F-5 fighters. Cambodia lacks a capable air force.
Ground Forces: Thailand has a large number of combat vehicles, including modern Chinese VT-4s and older American vehicles. Cambodia has a smaller number of older Chinese and Soviet tanks.
Artillery: Thailand has over 600 artillery pieces, including powerful 155-mm and 105-mm howitzers. Cambodia has significantly fewer, with only 12 155-mm shells and about 400 smaller howitzers.
Helicopters: Thailand operates American Cobra attack helicopters and Black Hawks,while Cambodia has older Soviet and Chinese transport helicopters.
Factors Contributing too Thailand’s Military Strength:
US Alliance: thailand is a key non-NATO ally of the United States,benefiting from US support for its weapons programs for decades.
Diversified Partnerships: Thailand has also strengthened ties with China and developed its local defense industry with assistance from Israel, Italy, Russia, South Korea, and Sweden.* International Exercises: The Thai military regularly participates in international military exercises, notably the annual Cobra Gold exercise with the US Indo-Pacific Command, which is described as the longest-lasting international military exercise in the world.
Context:
The article mentions that the Cambodia army also launched artillery attacks, but the overwhelming military advantage of thailand is emphasized by American media and think tanks like the Institute of International Strategic Research (IISS).