Malaysia and Thailand will resume joint air exercises and exchange of military officers upon the improvement of their economy, Malaysian Deputy Defense Minister Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan said on Nobember 4.

The Malaysian and Thai armed forces will strive to enhance ties in tandem with the strengthening of diplomatic ties in line with the wishes of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his Thai counterpart, Chuan Leekpai, he said after meeting Thai Air Force Chief Air Marshall Sanan Tourtip here, according to Bernama news agency.

The Thai Air Force chief received an honorary Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) wing from his Malaysian counterpart, Lt. Gen. Saruji Che Rus, Bernama said.

Sanan, who was appointed Thai Air Force chief last month is on a tour of ASEAN member countries and he will visit Singapore Friday.

Abdullah Fadzil also said the ASEAN itself should be accountable for problems affecting member countries, which require no foreign interference in resolving their problems.

The ASEAN's posture of self-reliance would have to be maintained unless the situation was most pressing and warranted modification to such stand, he said.

The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.