The Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang may have opened a small window of opportunity to resolve Korean Peninsula issues. US Vice President Mike Pence has said direct talks with the DPRK are possible. Tensions remain high after strong rhetoric from both the White House and Pyongyang over the past six months, and that's dominating the Cobra Gold military exercises in Thailand, as Tony Cheng reports.  

A Thai F16 fighter roars down the coast, dropping its payload just off the beach. A few moments later, another strike on land. Off the coast, a small armada of naval vessels led by the USS Bonhomme Richard, a mini aircraft carrier.

Dinghy's with elite Navy seals advance with the first troops to hit the shore. This is the showcase event of Cobra Gold, the largest military exercises in Asia, held in Thailand. After several years of scaled back operations, the Americans have doubled their presence this year and they're keen to engage with their allies.

GLYN T. DAVIES US AMBASSADOR TO THAILAND "We have to be able to operate together, work together, serve interoperably to deal with all manner of crises and natural disasters that occur."

And this year there is a growing crisis on the Korean peninsula. As the amphibious landing craft approach the beach they launch smoke canisters to disguise their advance. But there's no disguising the troops in the advance position as the carriers roll onto the beach and the troops roll out.

TONY CHENG THAILAND "The beach landing exercise at cobra gold this year has been spearheaded by these Marines from the Republic of Korea, and this is the type of exercise they've been practicing for the last 6 months with their colleagues from the US perhaps in preparedness for any sort of offensive action against the DPRK."

The senior brass, however, was not keen to talk about the growing tensions on the Korean peninsula.

CHOI YONG SO, BRIGADIER GENERAL SOUTH KOREAN MARINES "I don't think that's relevant. This exercise went according to plan and we don't have any contingency situation affecting the exercise."

But it's no coincidence the ROK forces were closest to the media cameras and that they have increased their profile at this year's cobra gold. And according to the US Marines commander, it is essential that they practice drills like this with their allies.

COL. MICHAEL KUHN ASST COMMANDER, 3RD DIVISION US MARINES "I work with the ROK all the time, some of my closest friends are ROK 1st division marines, and my counterpart is 3rd division marines US, the Thais the same way, in my opinion, we can't do this enough."

More troops are choppered in to the now secure beach head. As more heavy machinery arrives from the boats offshore. It is an awesome spectacle of military might, on land, sea, and in the air, a rehearsal perhaps, but for something that seems more likely than ever before, Tony Cheng CGTN Sattaheap naval baser on the coast of Thailand.