S26T submarine. Picture courtesy of China Daily

 

A Thai navy submarine project with China is embroiled in scandal, with claims of corruption and bribery linked to a mysterious civilian known only as "Bor."

 

People’s MP Rangsiman Rome has raised allegations regarding the procurement of the Yuan-class S26T submarine, originally meant to be powered by a German engine, now being replaced by a Chinese alternative.

 

He suspects that key individuals are involved in clandestine dealings and financial misconduct, which jeopardises public funds.

 

The swap from the German MTU396 to China's CHD620 engine, which remains uncertified by any global navy, has sparked major concerns.

 

Rangsiman highlighted the suspicious insistence on continuing the deal, suggesting potential kickbacks might have kept the project afloat despite its setbacks.

 

The submarine's acquisition, initiated under former navy chief Luechai Ruddit, has already seen half of its 13.5 billion baht price tag paid.

 

However, the Chinese supplier continues to delay delivery due to engine issues, leaving many questioning the project's future, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

The deal was finalised just before Luechai’s retirement, despite widespread criticism over its efficacy compared to alternatives from Germany and South Korea.

 

Now, amid growing scrutiny, Thailand’s transparency and procurement processes face heavy public examination.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-08-09

 

You don't say. 

Thailand...China...Corruption. Impossible.

lol Thailand will be on the moon by the time they get a motor in that thing. 
And yes, of course there’s corruption. Why wouldn’t there be?

This must be flawed news - corruption in business dealings in Thailand, can't be true - must be a mistake. 

So far you have managed to buy the under powered one ore model 🤔

The pigs at the trough have been feasting off the submarine pie for almost 10 years now......For crying out loud the sub deal started in 2017.....

 

Folks VAST sums of money have already been stolen from the sub deal.....I would love to see this paper trail.....

 

The longer the deal is delayed the more time the pigs have to feast......So the sub deal should carry on for many many more years to come.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corruption in Thailand?? I don't believe it!

This is Thailand, anything financial  the govt is involved in has kickbacks/corruption involved, this is why everyone wants a govt job and to be elected, I see it all the time and have watched businesses being forced to make payments to govt people or risk being shut down, graft & corruption in Thailand is run by the govt and the people that work in it. 

We all live in a yellow...

 

The irony is that this sub will be primarily used to protect Thailand from China! 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

A Thai navy submarine project with China is embroiled in scandal, with claims of corruption and bribery linked to a mysterious civilian known only as "Bor."

I'd be more surprised if it didn't

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The swap from the German MTU396 to China's CHD620 engine, which remains uncertified by any global navy, has sparked major concerns.

What I had read was that the CHD620 engine was an electrical generator modified to act as a motivator for a sub drive shaft. The conversion is not used in any Chinese subs but China is willing to certify it for the Thai sub sale. Basically giving Thailand the "shaft."

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s transparency and procurement processes face heavy public examination

again.

Thai Newsroom forgot to add the above word.

1 hour ago, QPRFC said:

We all live in a yellow...

 

The irony is that this sub will be primarily used to protect Thailand from China! 

well, only rumors of course as the Chinese never admit to them but there have been a lot of rumors over the past years including this year too, of the losses of Chinese submarines, including nuclear powered ones.  One supposedly got caught in a Chinese anti-submarine net while tracking a Philippine ship.  But the rumors continue to show up - then no pictures of those boats again surface.  One would think that the Thais would have thought about thise when wanting to procure submarines.  Duh! Their money - seems that some areas aren't worried about shortfalls in the revenues collected each year.  

Am I surprised absolutely not 

 

Naah, I don't believe this. It's all above board. There's absolutely no place for corruption in Thailand with all the. crackdowns they have.

Why it won't surprise me?

By the time theses corrupt negotiators and politicians finalise negotiations this is what they will end up with:-

 

 

No <deleted> Sherlock!!!!   

I am pleased that the Chinese authorities finally convinced the Thai Navy officials to abandon the idea of the Submarine having fly screen doors 

10 hours ago, webfact said:

S26T submarine. Picture courtesy of China Daily

 

A Thai navy submarine project with China is embroiled in scandal, with claims of corruption and bribery linked to a mysterious civilian known only as "Bor."

 

People’s MP Rangsiman Rome has raised allegations regarding the procurement of the Yuan-class S26T submarine, originally meant to be powered by a German engine, now being replaced by a Chinese alternative.

 

He suspects that key individuals are involved in clandestine dealings and financial misconduct, which jeopardises public funds.

 

The swap from the German MTU396 to China's CHD620 engine, which remains uncertified by any global navy, has sparked major concerns.

 

Rangsiman highlighted the suspicious insistence on continuing the deal, suggesting potential kickbacks might have kept the project afloat despite its setbacks.

 

The submarine's acquisition, initiated under former navy chief Luechai Ruddit, has already seen half of its 13.5 billion baht price tag paid.

 

However, the Chinese supplier continues to delay delivery due to engine issues, leaving many questioning the project's future, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

The deal was finalised just before Luechai’s retirement, despite widespread criticism over its efficacy compared to alternatives from Germany and South Korea.

 

Now, amid growing scrutiny, Thailand’s transparency and procurement processes face heavy public examination.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-08-09

 

Corruption in Thailand 😱😱You don’t say. 

Did you really expect anything different, its had that smell about from the start. Why does Thailand need submarines, the gulf is shallow, mostly less than 50m deep. Its just another waste of the peoples money which should have been spent on much needed infastructure, education & health. Frigates or coastal patrol vessels would have been a much more sensible proposition. 

 

"Amazing Thailand"

Corruption?? NOOO!!! 😱😱🤣🤣🤣🤣

12 hours ago, webfact said:

S26T submarine. Picture courtesy of China Daily

 

A Thai navy submarine project with China is embroiled in scandal, with claims of corruption and bribery linked to a mysterious civilian known only as "Bor."

 

People’s MP Rangsiman Rome has raised allegations regarding the procurement of the Yuan-class S26T submarine, originally meant to be powered by a German engine, now being replaced by a Chinese alternative.

 

He suspects that key individuals are involved in clandestine dealings and financial misconduct, which jeopardises public funds.

 

The swap from the German MTU396 to China's CHD620 engine, which remains uncertified by any global navy, has sparked major concerns.

 

Rangsiman highlighted the suspicious insistence on continuing the deal, suggesting potential kickbacks might have kept the project afloat despite its setbacks.

 

The submarine's acquisition, initiated under former navy chief Luechai Ruddit, has already seen half of its 13.5 billion baht price tag paid.

 

However, the Chinese supplier continues to delay delivery due to engine issues, leaving many questioning the project's future, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

The deal was finalised just before Luechai’s retirement, despite widespread criticism over its efficacy compared to alternatives from Germany and South Korea.

 

Now, amid growing scrutiny, Thailand’s transparency and procurement processes face heavy public examination.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-08-09

 

 

Wait, corruption? No way, that’s gotta be fake news — I mean, c’mon, it’s Thailand. What are the odds?

what a surprise Not

Not unusual for some high up to do a deal just before retiring in order to assure a comfortable retirement.

 Wow! A little bit off topic but finally a article that everyone here agrees on,that has to be a first.

Back on the subs,that would be one of each side of Thailand?

Very safe,that way they can not run into each other!

Another fully Crewed heap of junk to tie up beside the Aircraft Carrier with no Aircraft that never sets sail !   This deal has only ever been about Corruption and no other reason.

14 minutes ago, jvs said:

 Wow! A little bit off topic but finally a article that everyone here agrees on,that has to be a first.

Back on the subs,that would be one of each side of Thailand?

Very safe,that way they can not run into each other!

 

  Not really.  I think most posters here agree that corruption is rampant in Thailand.  

 

  Even the Thais recognize that