Thailand Defers Cabinet Approval for Submarines Purchase till September 30

The Thai Navy has deferred a cabinet decision to purchase Chinese submarines worth US$1.1 billion till September 30 and has launched a public support campaign for the sub procurement plan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon has reportedly told the Royal Thai Navy not to send the US$1.1 billion plan to purchase three Chinese submarines and associated weapons to the cabinet for approval until the proposal gains more public support, local media said yesterday.

Gen Prawit Wongsuwon was quoted in the Thai media as saying that the navy needs to better explain the proposal to the public. Opposition to the purchase has grown in recent weeks with many commentators questioning the wisdom to order submarines when it had done without them for the last 50 years.According to the Bangkok Post, Adm Narongpol, who heads the submarine acquisition committee said that the navy has produced a two-page document for distribution to the public.

As part of the PR effort, the navy will begin meeting with various news outlets and participate in forums, following the advice of Adm Kraisorn Chansuwanich, the navy commander.

Adm Narongpol said he believes the tide of opposition to the plan will subside. He predicted the purchase proposal could be submitted to the cabinet before the Sept 30 end of the fiscal year.

"The purchase of submarines is necessary and must begin this fiscal year because it will take as long as six years before (the subs) can be delivered. We also have to train our personnel for different missions, including combat."

In total, it will be eight years before they're operational, he concluded. "If we are slow to act, everything will be delayed further. The exchange rates will change. We do not know whether there will be changes in the maritime-security situation. "We have about 24 trillion baht in maritime interests per year to protect and the volume will continue to grow. So we need to have submarines," Adm Narongpol added.