Thai Government puts plan to buy Chinese submarines on hold

BEIJING - A Thailand-China government-to-government deal for Thailand to purchase three made-in-China submarines has suddenly been put on hold by the military-led government. Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister General, Prawit Wongsuwan, said that the Navy chief, Admiral Kraisorn Chansuvanit, should review the Navy’s plan, particularly taking into account the public reception.

“It remains to be seen how suitable and cost-effective the subs could possibly be,” said Prawit. “That is a subject on which the Navy is yet to conduct a thorough study … in the meantime, the Navy should monitor public reception of such a procurement plan while the country’s US$58.7 billion maritime interests are at stake.”

Prawit claimed direct responsibility for the plan, and said it will not be submitted to the country’s Cabinet for the time being.

Earlier, Kraisorn had said the submarines were “required as a deterrent and would not be used for offensive reasons”, adding that they are “not necessarily” meant for war-time deployment.

Instead, they would be potentially deployed in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea to “safeguard lines of communication, undersea natural resources, and coastal and island resorts.” These would be the first submarines owned by Thailand in 60 years. www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).