Vote to buy 2 more submarines sparks public uproar

By The Nation

 

 

Coalition MPs sparked a public outcry on Friday by voting to purchase two more submarines as the economy sinks under the impact of Covid-19.

 

The subcommittee for procurement, ICT, state enterprises and revolving funds, which is vetting the annual budget bill for 2021, voted 5:4 on Friday to spend Bt22.5 billion on two more submarines.

 

The vote was deadlocked after four coalition MPs from the Palang Pracharath, Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties approved the Navy budget for the China-made subs, while four opposition MPs voted against. The opposition lawmakers were from Move Forward, Pheu Thai and Seri Ruam Thai (Thai Liberal Party).

 

The chairman of the subcommittee, a member of the pro-military Palang Pracharath Party, then voted in support, resulting in approval of the Navy budget. 

 

Each submarine will cost Bt11.25 billion. 

 

The planned purchase is part of a deal signed by the military-backed government of Prayut Chan-o-cha to buy three subs from China. The first submarine was purchased in 2017 and will be delivered in 2024.

 

News of the vote spread quickly on social media and sparked uproar among netizens. Many accused the coalition MPs who voted for the purchase of wasting taxpayers’ money at a time when people were suffering severe financial hardship from the virus crisis.

 

The vote comes amid growing anti-government protests nationwide, especially among students and workers.

 

Netizens began sharing the names of MPs who voted for the deal on Friday, and called on citizens not to vote for them in the next election.

 

The five who voted in favour of purchasing the submarines are Suphol Phong-ngam, party-list MP for Palang Pracharath; Siriwan Pratsachaksatthru, party-list MP for the Democrats; Jiradech Srivirat, Palang Pracharath MP for Phayao province; Kornis Ngamsukolratana, Palang Pracharath MP for Bangkok; and Chayuth Phumaganchana, Bhumjaithai MP for Prachinburi.

 

The deal may be reviewed during the upcoming second reading of the budget bill in the House of Representatives.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30393333

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-08-24

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

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More additions to the scrap metal pile!

 

 

Thai Navy to explain its submarine procurement project on Monday

 

 

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) will explain its planned procurement of two Chinese-made submarines to the media on Monday. The project was endorsed by a panel of the House budget scrutiny Committee last week.

 

An informed RTN source said Sunday that a clarification is necessary, because the opposition Pheu Thai party has given misleading information about the 22.5 billion baht acquisition.

 

The Pheu Thai party claims that the procurement contract, which was signed by then Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Luechai Rootdit, is not a government-to-government agreement and is invalid because it was not signed by the Thai Defence Minister, who is also the Prime Minister, representing the Thai Government, said the source.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-navy-to-explain-its-submarine-procurement-project-on-monday/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2020-08-24

 

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55 minutes ago, webfact said:

The chairman of the subcommittee, a member of the pro-military Palang Pracharath Party, then voted in support, resulting in approval of the Navy budget. 

Did the Subcommittee then have to talk to the committee to buy a sub ? 

Edited August 23, 20205 yr by RichardColeman

22.5bill baht = $713m dollars or $357m per submarine.

Quite a deal when you consider a Sea-wolf class submarine cost $2.8 BILLION and a Virginia class $1.8 BILLION

46 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

22.5bill baht = $713m dollars or $357m per submarine.

Quite a deal when you consider a Sea-wolf class submarine cost $2.8 BILLION and a Virginia class $1.8 BILLION

"made  in  China"

16 minutes ago, bodga said:

"made  in  China"

With stolen technology!

The uproar is wrong. We all know the technological advancements the Burmese have. Thailand must be up-to date with their neighbor's military advancements.

 

1 hour ago, Chelseafan said:

22.5bill baht = $713m dollars or $357m per submarine.

Quite a deal when you consider a Sea-wolf class submarine cost $2.8 BILLION and a Virginia class $1.8 BILLION

check the picture in the headline. is it a 'sea-wolf class'? does it anywhere near resemble a 'virginia class'? .... no, paint it yellow and it could pass as a prop for a 60's music video.....

32 minutes ago, Somtamnication said:

The uproar is wrong. We all know the technological advancements the Burmese have. Thailand must be up-to date with their neighbor's military advancements.

 

Or maybe they can stave off the Chinese when they finish developing their naval base in Kampot, Cambodia!

 

 

Edited August 23, 20205 yr by PatOngo

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai Navy to explain its submarine procurement project on Monday

They have a key witness,   Ms.  Watchyourbak Mawdoo ,  who will testify the importance of stopping

the "second wave"  which is reportedly off the coast of Taiwan and headed our way.

 

The submarines will torpedo the incoming danger in a covid operation .  Attempts to say that the

term refers to covert operation were quickly shut down as "the usual protests from uninformed student agitators."

     

Edited August 23, 20205 yr by rumak

2 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

Or maybe they can stave off the Chinese when they finish developing their naval base in Sihanoukville Cambodia!

have they started that yet? thought there were 20 casinos (more) to be finished first so the sailors have something to do on shore leave.?

27 minutes ago, bodga said:

"made  in  China"

Lazada doing buy 1 get 1 free...COD.

the timing on this is a little awkward. hey everyone were going fishing.

1 minute ago, baansgr said:

Lazada doing buy 1 get 1 free...COD.

will be lost in post for sure. same all my mail.

Just now, mr mr said:

the timing on this is a little awkward. hey everyone were going fishing.

This is what's wrong with the iPad generation.   43 years old ,  6 in the morning, and instead of having

a second round with last nights sweetie................ he's on an internet forum.

What's the world coming to ?????

5 minutes ago, jastheace said:

have they started that yet? thought there were 20 casinos (more) to be finished first so the sailors have something to do on shore leave.?

There's over 100 Chinese casinos there already!

 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Netizens began sharing the names of MPs who voted for the deal on Friday, and called on citizens not to vote for them in the next election.

The only way to make things better is by getting rid those to make things worse.   Keep naming names if they are corrupt or incompetent. 

People are still queuing up for free food handouts here in Phuket 

These subs will have wheels on them so can be driven to opposition rallies. What a slap in the face to the Thai people. This regime keeps on digging in more and PPP had zero problems as is headed by Toad boy. On the other hand this will add fuel to the get out them fire.

Edited August 24, 20205 yr by holy cow cm

Perhaps they need them to find the economy?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

News of the vote spread quickly on social media and sparked uproar among netizens. Many accused the coalition MPs who voted for the purchase of wasting taxpayers’ money at a time when people were suffering severe financial hardship from the virus crisis.

Great timing.

As usual the corruption is staggering - the criminals are in charge - and not just in Thailand.

 

In reality a sub needs a decent depth to swim around in,  the Gulf does NOT have the depth.   But you need these toys really when you have very hostile neighbours  5555555

 

We all live in our yellow submarines, yellow submarines, yellow submarines.

When they sink, Thailand will finally have some heroes to pay tribute to and spend even more on every year. I still can't figure out this sub news. I heard three way back, then just one, a week or so ago I heard one, then last week I heard two. How many are they actually buying? Is there any new news here?

No! No! you've got it  all wrong! They are buying two new Submariners, not submarines.

 

Rolex Submariners for a certain politician.

Just what Thailand needs, submarines. Are they expecting any attacks anytime soon? China perhaps? LOL

1 hour ago, rumak said:

This is what's wrong with the iPad generation.   43 years old ,  6 in the morning, and instead of having

a second round with last nights sweetie................ he's on an internet forum.

What's the world coming to ?????

I would assume he's "multitasking" same as his "date".

It is all about huge amounts of money under the table - nothing else. Shallow waters, no subs in the last 55 years and not a single neighbour being at war with. 

But every country has the government it deserves; Thailand is not different and has been ruled by big and sometimes bigger crooks for decades. Only once Thais start to develop certain social competence, understand the word "society" and "nation" and taking politicians to explanatory reasoning - only then there might be hope. I - for one - see no light at the end of the tunnel for the time being. 

If a government, illicit or not, can get away with such an expense during a self-declared national crisis of 10+ millions of its people out of work; tourism hovering around 15%-20% (at best); exports slashed - then they either do it with the (silent) blessing of the electorate or applies North Korean rules and regulations - your call!