The government of Thailand, which has been rocked by violent protests, has hired Davenport McKesson Corp. to push the Pentagon to build a naval air defense base in that southeast Asia country.

Thailand
A U.S. Air Force C-130 departs Utapao International Airport in Thailand in 2008. Photo: USAF

The U.S. and Thailand have discussed operation of a joint military hub south of Bangkok for disaster relief purposes.

The Air Force had based B-52 bombers in Thailand through the 1960s and 1970s.

DMC is working to pitch Congress about the strategic importance of the South China Sea and promote greater awareness of

The U.S. has been expanding its military footprint in the region as part of President Obama’s “Asia pivot” and as a means to counter China’s build-up.

Thailand is determined to establish a “safe harbor zone around its waters” and wants DMC to help it establish more trade representation centers here, according to the Boston-based firm’s federal filing.

Thailand, which has a history of military coups, is now experiencing it bloodiest anti-government clashes since 2010 when a military crackdown led to 90 civilian deaths in Bangkok.

Protesters seek the ouster of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, replacing her regime with a unelected “people’s council.”