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Thai Submarine Deal with China Faces Corruption Claims

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12 hours ago, Artisi said:

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

The word to use is 'misunderstanding'.

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13 hours ago, webfact said:

originally meant to be powered by a German engine, now being replaced by a Chinese alternative.

 

The Chinese alternative is the exact same engine (with a few improvements) built under license from the German manufacturer.

 

https://www.defensemirror.com/news/35501/Chinese_Submarine_Engine_is_a_Licensed_produced_German_Powerplant__Thai_Navy_Chief

 

13 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.

 

EU didn't permit the German-made engine, which did not affect delivery of the licensed version.

 

Chinese state-owned submarine developer was unable to acquire a German MTU396 diesel engine for the boat, due to a European Union arms embargo on Beijing.

https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/thailands-cabinet-approves-changes-to-troubled-chinese-submarine-deal/

 

Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and soon Thailand operate Chinese submarines.

 

13 hours ago, webfact said:

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

 

Ah, he has suspicions, but no actual evidence.  Might be something to do with penalties for not completing the transfer, or loss of a major portion of the original payment.......

 

I wonder if this fellow has friends who sell boats?

Google helps.  Here's why the Thais accepted the Chinese engine.

 

FOMO

 

  • China appears to be hedging its bets after doubts emerge over its contract to supply the RTN with the S26T diesel-electric submarine
  • Indonesia could benefit from a sweetened deal as China decides to bundle its proposal for the submarine with a Type 052D destroyer

https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-and-national-security-analysis/china-scrambles-to-sell-submarine-as-thailand-dithers

15 hours ago, dinsdale said:

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

 

Shouldn't you say, Thailand,and,China...cannot go Without Corruption?

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

 

Doesnt he realize that submarines aren’t meant to float?

15 hours ago, daveAustin said:

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?

You could say its Sunk. 

 

Corruption between Thailand & China.... :w00t:

image.jpeg.9bca426d6525a1d9c68678125ce65093.jpeg

He needs to be careful , rocking the boat    unless he's "protected"    wonder why its taken so long to come out and why now?

Surely not has to be fake news, Corruption in Thailand, in Government, never, and Thailand needs Submarines for what

They will end up with a tuk-tuk engine in the submarine.

The  whole debacle is full of corruption, obviously the order wasn't part of any due diligence because that would have revealed in the very first instance, that the specified engine was subject to sanctions.

Fitting a inferior Chinese engine that has never been used before is full of peril for any submarinerers and constitutes a reckless disregard for their safety.

 

Obviously the bungs have been large as this woeful purchase has been lurching from crisis to scandal every year.

 

Not to mention the complete waste of taxpayer's money.

Perfectly apt - now, what' that  anagram of, "bor" again ?

On 8/9/2025 at 5:29 AM, webfact said:

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

Journalism = Stating the Bleedin' obvious.

Tofu buildings, tofu submarine, tofu engine... What could go wrong?

3 hours ago, Boedog said:

Surely not has to be fake news, Corruption in Thailand, in Government, never, and Thailand needs Submarines for what

For jungle skirmishes against the Cambodians. 

On 8/9/2025 at 5:29 AM, webfact said:

image.jpeg

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.

 

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-08-09

 

image.png

whaaat???? who would ever think that??? Corruption in Thailand??? 

it was just a matter of time to come out... 

oh man, this deal sucked right from the beginning and never stopped doing so...

money - greed - more&more&more&more!!! 

So The Rice Pledging scandal saw the overthrow of an elected government and the PM being persecuted through the courts and then this! Obvious theft, scandal that is so obvious a blind person can see it on the other side of the world, yet no charges or investigation!!! 

Some people say the Junta refused to leave until they had completed all their defence materiel purchases for the next 20 years - this submarine one being the biggest and most 'profitable'.  For who I dare not say.  

On 8/9/2025 at 4:07 PM, paul1804 said:

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"

 

and..........     who is going to pilot this vessel ?

how long before the sub cuts out in front of a whale without looking ?   and they can't use brake failure as an excuse!

19 hours ago, Luuk Chaai said:

 

and..........     who is going to pilot this vessel ?

how long before the sub cuts out in front of a whale without looking ?   and they can't use brake failure as an excuse!

They will probably run into reef at 25 meters and hole the thing on its debut outing!

"Uncertified by any Global Navy" sounds like another Stockton Rush Titan venture......get a refund from your Chinese friends and get some surface ships.........

On 8/9/2025 at 10:35 PM, Fab5BKK said:

Corruption between Thailand & China.... :w00t:

image.jpeg.9bca426d6525a1d9c68678125ce65093.jpeg

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTZDPM1p5oA0hZ7tTNZ0yQrXaSm2heRQUafVIcZvwqrEPk-uZcHUPBjxDjKC4933qQ5QIs&usqp=CAU

On 8/9/2025 at 5:29 AM, webfact said:

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

Money has already changed hands, allocated to the chosen few and more than likely already spent... no turning back or canceling the deal.

On 8/9/2025 at 1:15 PM, QPRFC said:

We all live in a yellow...

 

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

The same was true of Thailand's previous fleet of submarines IIRC, they were built in Japan and delivered just in time, to not-get-used to repel the Japanese-invasion & occupation of Thailand on 8th December 1941.

 

Japanese invasion of Thailand - Wikipedia

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