The Royal Thai Navy’s H.T.M.S. Chang, a China-built amphibious landing and submarine escort, enters Thai waters, April 14, 2023. [Handout Royal Thai Navy]

 

by Nontarat Phaicharoen

 

Bangkok is prepared to accept a modified ship engine to power a submarine China is building for the Royal Thai Navy provided Beijing guarantees the engine is safe, the Thai Navy commander said this week.

 

Thailand’s purchase of the 13.5 billion baht (U.S. $369 million) Yuan-class submarine ran into trouble because the Chinese state-owned submarine developer was unable to buy a German-built diesel submarine engine, due to a European Union arms embargo on Beijing.

 

The Chinese Navy would have until June to guarantee the modified ship engine’s safety, said Thai Navy Commander Adm. Choengchai Chomchoengpaet following talks in Beijing in mid-April. 

 

“We have three conditions to consider – the engine must be safe. Second, the Chinese navy must guarantee this engine for the Thai navy. And third, there must be compensation for the delay due to the engine change,” Choengchai said at an event in Chon Buri province on Tuesday.

 

“These are the important conditions in a decision on whether the contract would go on or be canceled,” he said.

 

Full story: https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/thai/thailand-chinese-submarine-04262023135545.html

 

-- © Copyright Benar News 2023-04-28

 

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Oh, this is still not resolved?

What a complete and utter farce......although it's good to know, if you are lying 300m down on the seabed with no engines, that the engines are still under warranty.

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

We have three conditions to consider – the engine must be safe. Second, the Chinese navy must guarantee this engine for the Thai navy.

Exactly what does this mean - Reading this in its current form it means absolutely nothing ..

26 minutes ago, webfact said:

Bangkok is prepared to accept a modified ship engine to power a submarine China is building for the Royal Thai Navy provided Beijing guarantees the engine is safe, the Thai Navy commander said this week.

Ought to take them just about long enough to walk across the room and stamp the contract "Sold."

53 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

What a complete and utter farce......although it's good to know, if you are lying 300m down on the seabed with no engines, that the engines are still under warranty.

I think that the people trousering money from this deal, while possibly even holding a Naval or military rank, will never set sail on any of the vessels they are purchasing from China. 

54 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

What a complete and utter farce......although it's good to know, if you are lying 300m down on the seabed with no engines, that the engines are still under warranty.

Average depth of the Gulf of Thailand is 58 m. ????

3 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Exactly what does this mean - Reading this in its current form it means absolutely nothing ..

It probably will be but with a big discount - there is not much choice. It seems that the CHD engine is the Chinese "equivalent" of the originally specified MTU.

Edited April 28, 20233 yr by Pink Mist
Oversized Font corrected

Just order a submarine with the right engine. 

 

Who's going to buy Rolls-Royce with a modified engine.   Nobody in there right mind. 

 

Idiots. 

Has any reporter asked the Defence Ministry why Thailand needs a submarine?

5 minutes ago, MrJ2U said:

Just order a submarine with the right engine. 

 

Who's going to buy Rolls-Royce with a modified engine.   Nobody in there right mind. 

 

Idiots. 

agree ......   it's unconscionable that people in high level positions as they are have suggested doing this. 

It reminds me of the old days of working in the bush and when something breaks down the bush mechanic takes over ....  

The new, desperately needed assault ship has now arrived and is to be berthed  inboard of Aircraft Carrier Chakri, currently sitting permanently alongside the jetty after one sea trial many years ago. Later this year the new submarine will also arrive to be berthed outboard of the Chakri.

 

On Children's day, these mighty warships will spring into action, over-awing the boys and girls with the might and power of the Thai Royal Navy, (quayside only).

Meanwhile, overhead, the heart-stopping thunder of fighter jet engines as the massed squadrons of the Thai Royal Air-force fly over this tremendous Naval task force, soon to be in action, against the ...........  Who is the enemy? Oh yes, the Thai population! (I almost forgot, silly me).

 

As the echoes of this massive air display involving two jet fighters fade away, all the little children, yes folks, even the grown-up little children will drift off home in a state of wonderment and happiness, safe in the knowledge that the Thai Armed Forces are ready, alert (?) and prepared to put down their enemies.

 

Then it's back to the Laundry lines slung across deck, just as they were in 1964 when I first arrived in Thailand and we steamed up the Chao Phraya River for 10 days shore leave in Bangkok. The entire Thai Navy appeared to have done their laundry very early that morning, at 6:30 am.

 

I'd probably see the same thing in 3 years time if I re-enacted that amazing Ceremonial 'entry into harbour' scene.....

 

3 hours ago, nauseus said:

It probably will be but with a big discount - there is not much choice. It seems that the CHD engine is the Chinese "equivalent" of the originally specified MTU.

Yes it will be a copy but with extras…

extra noise and rattles.

 

It should make so much noise that even the Thai navy can’t lose it!!!

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Second, the Chinese navy must guarantee this engine for the Thai navy

really?... that's a question, does Thailand would expect a denial from China, sure they will guarantee 555

3 hours ago, webfact said:

13.5 billion baht

Wow! That's nearly $5 a head for everyone in the country. Somebody is making money big time.

well safe or not safe the water around thailand is so clear and shallow they will always be able to hoist the thing up so why not another ridiculous tourist attaction

2 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Average depth of the Gulf of Thailand is 58 m. ????

so wont the submarines be so detectable at that level as to be useless??

2 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Average depth of the Gulf of Thailand is 58 m. ????

Max depth 80m. Use would have to be in the Andaman Sea which has a total Thailand coastline of about 949km covering 6 provinces. Other than their tourist value, not much really of any military significance.

15 minutes ago, beau thai said:

so wont the submarines be so detectable at that level as to be useless??

I served 6 years aboard a diesel submarine in my younger days.I doubt our Cptn would even want to operate in the gulf unless we stayed on the surface. I do see on the news the USN has boomers in the Persian Gulf and its even less deep in areas. They could probably be spotted from a Cessna aircraft...

Troll posts and responses removed.

48 minutes ago, jaideedave said:

They could probably be spotted from a Cessna aircraft...

they bought 2 of these for 8.9 billion already. 

54 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Max depth 80m. Use would have to be in the Andaman Sea which has a total Thailand coastline of about 949km covering 6 provinces. Other than their tourist value, not much really of any military significance.

But could be useful in the event of war with India.

5 hours ago, Celsius said:

Oh, this is still not resolved?

good things come to those who wait????

What a complete joke, like thousands of comments on here, what on earth would Thailand want submarines for?? 

It would be very interesting to follow the payment trail!

4 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Average depth of the Gulf of Thailand is 58 m. ????

Not too deep then for them to pipe out the Exhaust fumes to the surface from them old Sampan Engines that are to be fitted

2 hours ago, Reigntax said:

Yes it will be a copy but with extras…

extra noise and rattles.

 

It should make so much noise that even the Thai navy can’t lose it!!!

Want a bet

2 hours ago, wazzupnow said:

well safe or not safe the water around thailand is so clear and shallow they will always be able to hoist the thing up so why not another ridiculous tourist attaction

It's only shallow on one side of Thailand. Not the side in which they will choose to operate.

5 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Average depth of the Gulf of Thailand is 58 m. ????

and you can't use diesel motors if you are submerged. 58 m is pathetic, you can't hide a sub in such shallow water, even WW2 technology would find you with no trouble.

Well, just so you know, I’m not setting foot on this submarine !

45 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

It's only shallow on one side of Thailand. Not the side in which they will choose to operate.

In which case, there is no choice.............