Thailand agrees joint search and rescue with US at sea
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Thailand has granted permission to the United States to fly over, in the company of its own planes, its sea territory during search and rescue mission for migrants stranded in the Indian Ocean, Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn said Friday.
This morning, US aircraft flew together with our Air Force over our sea territory on such a mission,” Tanasak told reporters.
“Following a request from Washington, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan granted verbal permission and I have already conveyed the message to the US Charge d’affaire,” he said, noting that it would take time to do the necessary paperwork.
However, Tanasak declined to answer whether the government would allow the US to use military facilities in UTapao or Phuket for the missions.
“The flight took off from a base in Malaysia, but we are not at a point where they can use any base,” he said. “If it becomes necessary to use Thai territory for their base, the request can be considered.”
