Graphic photos: Cobra Gold 2014 military exercise in Thailand   A U.S. Marine drinks the blood of a cobra during a jungle survival exercise with the Thai Navy as part of the "Cobra Gold 2014" joint military exercise, at a military base in Chanthaburi province February 13, 2014. About 13,000 soldiers from seven countries, Thailand, U.S., Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia are participating in the 11-day military exercise. Reuters   A U.S. Marine drinks the blood of a cobra during a jungle survival exercise with the Thai Navy as part of the "Cobra Gold 2014" joint military exercise, at a military base in Chanthaburi province February 13, 2014.   A U.S. Marine drinks the blood of a cobra during a jungle survival exercise with the Thai Navy as part of the "Cobra Gold 2014" joint military exercise, at a military base in Chanthaburi province February 13, 2014.   A U.S. Marine eats a scorpion during a jungle survival exercise with the Thai Navy as part of the "Cobra Gold 2014" joint military exercise, at a military base in Chanthaburi province February 13, 2014.   A Thai Navy instructor demonstrates to U.S. Marines how to catch a cobra during a jungle survival exercise with the Thai Navy as part of the "Cobra Gold 2014" joint military exercise, at a military base in Chanthaburi province February 13, 2014   U.S. marines pick out bugs to eat from a bamboo stem during a jungle survival exercise with the Thai Navy as part of the "Cobra Gold 2014" joint military exercise, at a military base in Chanthaburi province February 13, 2014.   A U.S. marine kills a chicken with his teeth during a jungle survival exercise with the Thai Navy as part of the "Cobra Gold 2014" joint military exercise, at a military base in Chanthaburi province February 13, 2014.   A U.S. Marine plays with a tail of a dead cobra in his mouth during a jungle survival exercise with the Thai Navy as part of the "Cobra Gold 2014" joint military exercise, at a military base in Chanthaburi province February 13, 2014. (Reuters) The annual Cobra Gold 2014 military exercise began Tuesday in Thailand and will close on February 21, with the participation of troops from eight countries, including the US and China. About 13,000 soldiers from seven countries, Thailand, U.S., Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia are participating in the 11-day military exercise, according to Reuters. China has sent seventeen soldiers to partake in humanitarian relief drills, its official People’s Daily Online reported. This year's exercise takes place in Phitsanulok province, the northeastern province of Khon Kaen, the eastern provinces of Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanthaburi, and other northern provinces, Bangkok Post said. Cobra Gold is the largest Asia-Pacific military exercise, and is held in Thailand every year. The first Cobra Gold was organized in 1982 as a bilateral drill between the United States and Thailand. Other regular participants are Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea. TUOITRENEWS