10 hours ago, heybruce said:

Thailand's military is primarily focused on, um, matters internal to the country.  It doesn't need F-35's for that.

Shouldn’t need any military either. Costa Rica manages with Police only as no enemies.

Thailand will never get these from the US because it is considered an unreliable ally with such close links to China.  Ukraine would put them to good use though.

13 hours ago, ozimoron said:

Both are very much defensive. Only nuclear submarines are really offensive. Diesel submarines hunt ships and others subs.

 

F-35s typically kill over 20 adversary aircraft for every friendly loss in exercises aimed at honing pilot skills.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2019/05/13/how-a-super-agile-electronic-warfare-system-makes-f-35-the-most-invincible-combat-aircraft-ever/?sh=48c80d114382

Maximum depth of Gulf of Thailand is 280 ft.  Subsea oil pipelines and offshore installations all over, Submarines unnecessary, no external threats, as another OP has stated here, any 'threat' would probably be internal.......

1 minute ago, CANSIAM said:

Maximum depth of Gulf of Thailand is 280 ft.  Subsea oil pipelines and offshore installations all over, Submarines unnecessary, no external threats, as another OP has stated here, any 'threat' would probably be internal.......

Half of Thailand's coast isn't in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman sea is much deeper with direct access to the Indian ocean. That is where the subs would operate.

2 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

Half of Thailand's coast isn't in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman sea is much deeper with direct access to the Indian ocean. That is where the subs would operate.

I'm sure Mr. Modi is taking care of the Andaman Sea, and the U.S. for that matter....

4 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

I'm sure Mr. Modi is taking care of the Andaman Sea, and the U.S. for that matter....

Big ticket items like submarines and advanced aircraft aren't purchased for domestic defense but rather with international defense cooperation pacts in mind.

"So what will you use them for?"

 

"Well..."

Don't say hunting down overstayers Don't say hunting down overstayers

 

"...Hunting down overstayers"

 

"Riiiight"