BANGKOK: This month's joint US-Thai military exercises in Thailand have drawn criticism from Thais on social media after authorities announced that dozens of visiting American troops would be undergoing their mandatory 14-day quarantine in Bangkok hotels.
About 106 American soldiers will join three separate exercises from Aug 18 to 30 in three provinces, and would be subjected to the same requirements as anyone entering the country, said the head of the Thai Army's anti-coronavirus unit, Nattapon Srisawat.
Thailand has gone over two months without a local transmission of COVID-19 and has kept infections to just over 3,300.
It has closed borders and airspace to tourists to keep the virus out and allows entry only to Thai repatriates or foreigners with special permission. All must undergo quarantine.