TROOPS from four nations – Thailand, the United States, South Korea and Singapore – today (Feb. 26) engaged in an amphibious warfare drill at Haad Yao beach, Sattahip district, Chonburi province, as part of Cobra Gold military exercise running from Feb. 24 to March 6, Amarin TV said.
Overseeing the drill were Adm. Pairoj Fuengchan, commander-in-chief of the Thai Navy, along with Maj. Gen. William J. Prendergast IV, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, California National Guard, and commanders from the two other participating nations.
This drill, a crucial part of Cobra Gold 2026 exercise, aimed to seize and establish a beachhead area using naval forces, amphibious landings and close air support. It began with supporting fire to cripple the enemy before troops secured the beachhead and advanced towards the target area.
The drill took place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. At 10.15 a.m., a simulated open-pit bombing exercise was conducted, followed at 10.21 a.m. by simulated air bombing support from US AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.
At 10.30 a.m., the first wave of troops arrived at the beach using two South Korean and two Thai amphibious assault vehicles. Simultaneously, two US transport helicopters landed to disembark troops before departing. The second wave involved the landing of Marine Corps personnel without air support.
The third wave utilised US landing craft air cushion (LCAC) and high-speed amphibious assault vehicles to transport troops and equipment. The fourth wave consisted of one Thai landing craft personnel (LCP) and one South Korean landing craft mechanized (LCM) transporting personnel and equipment ashore, along with three ships from Singapore transporting trucks.
Later, between 10.43 a.m. and 10.48 a.m., a simulated third bombing raid was conducted by F-16 fighter jets to support ground operations.
Additionally, a medical evacuation exercise was performed, with an S-70B Seahawk aircraft landing to pick up simulated injured personnel. Thai amphibious assault ships, including HTMS Chang, HTMS Wang Nai, and HTMS Thong Lang, as well as a landing craft utility (LCU), beached to support the operation.
Adm. Apha Chapanon, special advisor to the Thai Navy, said Cobra Gold 2026 exercise, now in its 45th year, is one of the largest military exercises in the Asian region. The main activity is the amphibious operation training under the Field Training Exercise (FTX).
This is the first time the Singapore Navy has sent a full-scale naval force to participate in the amphibious landing drill.
CAPTION:
The amphibious warfare drill at Sattahip today, Feb. 26, 2026. Photos – Amarin TV
Also read:
More Bangkok residents now opting for second-hand housing
As the next crisis looms, Travel & Tourism faces a failure of leadership
People’s to file duty-negligence, misconduct lawsuit against Election Commission
Bhumjaithai-led coalition finally opts to do without Klatham, Democrats
Bhumjaithai-led govt backed by 340-plus coalition MPs
Central Administrative Court accepts lawsuit over barcoded, QR coded ballots
Election might be called null and void, given barcodes, QR codes on voting ballots
Election Commission dismisses call for recount of votes in Chonburi
Mysteriously unequal totals of constituency/party ballots reported
Some referees ‘bought’ to rig votes for rogue contestants
Dozen designated People’s MPs retroactively charged with lese majeste lawsuit
