12 hours ago, OneZero said:

Walk away now before becoming further entangled in PRC blackmail

That option ended with the 2014 military coup. The 2023 appointment of a new PM who represented a minority publicly elected coalition with the consent of the military junta-appointed senate further entrenched Thailand-China trade and security position. The only walk the new government can take now is to "toe the line."

6 hours ago, Peabody said:

why that alone didn't nullify the agreement.

It was public foreknowledge that Germany couldn't provide the engines to China prior to the purchase contract. But apparently the Thai PM thought the Germans could be convinced otherwise - which it wasn't.

China was no doubt fully aware of the German/EU ban for sale to China for military use. But PM Prayut went ahead and executed the contract, apparently making a substantial downpayment. Even the new PM attempted to convince the German President to allow the sale to China and failed.

Theoretically, for Thailand to recoup payments already made for the submarines if China refuses, Prayut would have to sue China in the WTO or Thai courts - that's not going to happen, especially when Chinese tourism to Thailand has been a major part of Thailand's economic recovery.

On 5/25/2024 at 6:16 AM, hotchilli said:

Everything that's wrong in Thailand... un-named influential people.

I can name them - they are called 'Thainese' and their families first came to Thailand less than 100 years ago. 

 

Owned by China with POS  Engine shoved down their throats by their Masters 

The cr@ppy engines won't be an issue, since the subs will spend their lives moored up alongside the world's only aircraft carrier with no aircraft or air defense systems.