September 14, 2005

Thailand, along with Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, are each contributing reconnaissance aircraft to patrol the Malacca and Singapore Straits (which are essential to the economies of East Asian nations). Each nation will perform two patrols a week, and information gathered by the patrols will be shared by all nations. Terrorists and pirates are the major concern. A speedboat full of gunmen is a likely target for further investigation by naval patrol boats. The four nations, with their regular patrols, will create a group of air crews experienced with patrolling the straits, and thus ready to go up and provide additional security if there is a terrorist alert.