The Prime Minister denied reports that the US would establish a drone production base in Thailand. He revealed that his talks with the US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy involved no trade or tax issues. He emphasized that the Cobra Gold exercises will continue as usual and mentioned discussions with Supachai to update tax negotiations according to the set timeline.
On 14 Aug 2026 09:00 GMT+7, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul addressed rumors that the US would set up a drone production base in Thailand, denying that he had received any such reports.
Regarding the use of military matters to negotiate trade taxes, the Prime Minister stressed that this is not happening. Yesterday, Mr. Elbridge Colby, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, met with him but they did not discuss trade or tax issues, which are part of trade negotiations. Their talks focused on security and military cooperation, and the government will keep these matters separate. The discussion atmosphere was very positive.
When asked if security and trade negotiations should be separated, the Prime Minister said that the US has always handled it this way because the Under Secretary of Defense does not discuss trade matters. Regarding whether the Cobra Gold joint exercises would proceed as usual, he confirmed they will, as they have been conducted for decades. He added he did not know who started this rumor, as it is unfounded.
When asked if Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supachai Sutthampan had reported on trade tax negotiations, the Prime Minister said there was a meeting last Monday to update information, and that everything remains on schedule as set by the negotiation team.