Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin urged the military to postpone their plans to procure weapons for 2024 in a bid to divert funds towards aiding the nation’s needy, according to insiders. Defence Minister Sutin Klunsang and Prommin Lertsuridej, the Prime Minister’s Secretary-General, have been tasked with negotiating the delay with the military leaders.

 

The prime minister wishes to utilise the budget for crucial initiatives to support the populace. Any previously approved budgets will not be altered, the sources stated.

 

The Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) newly appointed commander, ACM Phanphakdee Phatthanakul, confirmed that the government requested the military to prioritise addressing natural disasters such as floods, forest fires, and haze issues.

He denied reports that the RTAF planned to purchase three Gripen jet fighters from Sweden for Wing 7 in Surat Thani, following the US’s refusal to sell its F-35A fighter jets. The RTAF had previously purchased a dozen Gripen fighters, with one lost in a crash. Each Gripen fighter aircraft costs approximately 2 billion baht, a RTAF source stated.

ACM Phanphakdee confirmed that due to the country’s economic climate, the RTAF won’t seek to purchase jet fighters in the 2024 fiscal year. However, they will consider procuring new jet fighters in the following fiscal year, with a working panel being established to review the matter.

 

by  Atima Homtientong

Picture courtesy of MRG Online

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-10-03

 

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Either this man is an optimist, which is a good thing, or he is naive (what has the army done for the people lately?), or he is a master of PR, similar to the biggest joke. I would not expect anything to come of this, as the army is perhaps the most toxic institution in Thailand, and also perhaps the worst investment for the money, in the history of the nation.

if u start to put your hand into the "old crocodiles" pockets u are looking for trouble.... remember who placed you at the post/place u are now... don't bite the hand that feeds u

 

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Either this man is an optimist, which is a good thing, or he is naive (what has the army done for the people lately?), or he is a master of PR, similar to the biggest joke. I would not expect anything to come of this, as the army is perhaps the most toxic institution in Thailand, and also perhaps the worst investment for the money, in the history of the nation.

I'm not so sure about that. My 16 year old son has just come back from 2 weeks of military training (something he will do for 3 years which gets him out of national conscription later) he has been turned 180 degrees from a grumpy know it all teenager to a polite, respectful, friendly young man, his mother, grandmother, sisters and even his school comrades are amazed at the difference, it's uncanny

1 minute ago, soalbundy said:

I'm not so sure about that. My 16 year old son has just come back from 2 weeks of military training (something he will do for 3 years which gets him out of national conscription later) he has been turned 180 degrees from a grumpy know it all teenager to a polite, respectful, friendly young man, his mother, grandmother, sisters and even his school comrades are amazed at the difference, it's uncanny

That is a good story. It leaves some hope that they are doing something productive. Who would have thought? 

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

most toxic institution in Thailand, and also perhaps the worst investment for the money, in the history of the nation.

There is one more billionaire that IMO is also a bad investment.

I'd tell the army there will be a 1% budget rise per year until they could prove exactly who Thailand is expected to go to war with and when

8 hours ago, webfact said:

However, they will consider procuring new jet fighters in the following fiscal year, with a working panel being established to review the matter.

a working panel?  a commitee?  oh well there goes all the money saved from not buying any new toys in 2024.

8 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Either this man is an optimist, which is a good thing, or he is naive (what has the army done for the people lately?), or he is a master of PR, similar to the biggest joke. I would not expect anything to come of this, as the army is perhaps the most toxic institution in Thailand, and also perhaps the worst investment for the money, in the history of the nation.

i would have to argue your comment about being the worst investment. THey seem to be a really good investment for those who control them. History has shown they are quite adept at killing people even though it has never been done against other countries. The seem devoted and faithful to follow the orders of only their generals. They also are really good at blocking rioters who protest the Gov. Surely someone profited quiet a lot from their training and devotion to only do what the ARMY told them to do.. So, in fact, it was a really good investment and return for someone.. 

13 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Either this man is an optimist, which is a good thing, or he is naive (what has the army done for the people lately?), or he is a master of PR, similar to the biggest joke. I would not expect anything to come of this, as the army is perhaps the most toxic institution in Thailand, and also perhaps the worst investment for the money, in the history of the nation.

He's only there because of the army.