The Royal Thai Army and the Indian Army commenced the 2026 edition of their annual bilateral exercise, MAITREE 2026, with the opening ceremony held at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani province.
Lieutenant General Narathip Poinok, Commander of the 4th Army Region, presided over the ceremony, which was attended by senior commanders, troops and participating personnel from both countries.
The joint training is being conducted from August 18 to September 1 across Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Mueang District, Surat Thani, and the 4th Special Warfare Battalion in Sichon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat.
MAITREE is an annual bilateral exercise involving infantry units of the Royal Thai Army and the Indian Army. The 2026 edition brings together 76 Thai Army personnel and 85 Indian Army personnel for joint training focused on enhancing interoperability, exchanging operational experience and developing capabilities relevant to modern warfare.
The exercise has been structured into three phases. The first phase focuses on familiarisation training, followed by an exchange training phase and a final field training phase designed to provide participants with practical experience in a joint operational environment.
The training provides an opportunity for personnel from both armies to exchange knowledge, tactics and operational experiences while strengthening professional ties at the individual and unit levels.
The 4th Army Region stressed the importance of maintaining strict safety standards throughout the exercise. It also highlighted the role of MAITREE in promoting mutual understanding and strengthening military-to-military relations between Thailand and India.
According to the 4th Army Region, the exercise is expected to enhance tactical proficiency and operational expertise while improving cooperation and interoperability between the participating forces.
The exercise also underscores the longstanding defence relationship between India and Thailand and provides a platform for both armies to deepen cooperation through practical training and professional exchanges.
The 4th Army Region expressed confidence that MAITREE 2026 would further strengthen the bonds between the two armed forces and contribute to greater stability and regional cooperation.
