Buying Subs Better Than Having Funds Misappropriated: Thai PM

Defending the proposed purchase of Chinese submarines, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said that state funds can be better utilized in purchasing the three subs than leaving it open for misappropriation.

The Prime Minister's comments yesterday quoted in the Thai media have kicked off a storm in Thailand as it implies loose check over state finances and the possibility of corruption.

Amid questions raised by some experts about the wisdom of buying Chinese submarines as they feel the nation’s navy is well off with surface ships and the funds allocated (US$1.1 billion) for the purchase can be used for a national healthcare project, the Prime Minister has defended the proposed purchase as necessary for the country’s security adding that the procurement will take several years and an adequate budget will be earmarked for the project.

The purchase proposal is yet to reach the cabinet for consideration.

The submarines will not be used to wage war, but they can make other countries "stand in awe of us", Prayut Chan-o-cha was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post daily.

Protection of trade routes and territorial disputes are just some of the things the navy has to think about in planning maritime strategies and missions, he said.

"If we don't buy submarines, don't we need to protect those routes?" Gen Prayut asked reporters.

"Or do you want to keep the money to be misappropriated by some people?" in response to several articles in the Thai media that questioned the purchase.

A procurement committee of the Thai Navy last week voted to buy three Chinese S-20 submarines for 36 billion Bhat (US$1.1 billion) against competition from South Korea, Germany, Sweden and Russia.

Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology also allows Chinese submarines to stay underwater for 21 days, longer than subs from the other countries, Navy commander Adm Kraisorn Chansuvanich said.

The plan to sign a deal with China is not the result of stronger military ties between Bangkok and Beijing, Gen Prayut said.

He said people should not believe the sub purchase plan has to be pushed through during this government.

It is part of a long-term navy plan that needs careful consideration, he said.

The navy pushed for the purchase of submarines during the Yingluck Shinawatra government, but to no avail. The last submarine purchase was 63 years ago.