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Thaksin's Drone Donation Sparks Thai Army Security Concerns

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DJI Phantom 3 drone | Picture  courtesy of MGR Online

 

Controversy has erupted over the donation of 10 Chinese-made drones to the Thai army by Thaksin Shinawatra. These DJI drones, typically used for commercial purposes, might be tracked by Cambodian forces, putting Thai drone operators at risk during border reconnaissance missions.

 

Thaksin Shinawatra purchased these drones for three million baht, raising concerns about their potential vulnerability. Concerns have mounted over their use along the contentious Thai-Cambodian border, where Cambodian forces may exploit Chinese-made drone locators to detect and endanger Thai units.

 

The discovery comes amid heightened border tensions, with drones reportedly flying over Thai territory, prompting calls for immediate counteractions.

 

Thailand is currently restricting drone flights in its airspace, particularly around northeastern provinces like Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Surin, and Buriram, areas previously affected by Thai-Cambodian clashes.

 

Reports suggest Cambodian forces possess drones capable of carrying bombs, posing additional threats to Thailand.

 

Thaksin's longstanding ties with Cambodian leader Hun Sen and the relationship with his son, Hun Manet, now leading Cambodia, have sparked further suspicion, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

The Thai public views these personal connections and bilateral interests with unease, particularly given the unresolved border disputes.

 

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin's daughter and suspended from her prime-ministerial duties, faces an impeachment trial. Her involvement in a leaked conversation with Hun Sen has led to calls for scrutiny, as her actions were considered compromising and breaching ethics.

 

Additionally, Thaksin's push for joint resource projects in disputed maritime areas with Cambodia adds another layer to the ongoing tensions.

 

As the situation develops, the implications of these drone donations on Thai security remain a focal point of discussion. The intricate ties between Thailand and Cambodia, further complicated by family and political connections, continue to fuel debates on national security and diplomatic relations.

 

RELATED TOPIC:

Thaksin Donates Drones to Bolster Border Patrols

https://aseannow.com/topic/1369383-thaksin-donates-drones-to-bolster-border-patrols/

 

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-08-13

 

 

image.png

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Thaksin will do things to escalate the problems instead of de escalate them.. This so called offer of 10 drones looks nice, but it is just a way to create problems... He is the devil disguise and frustrated by the claims of his hospitalization, and section 112 allegations...And his personal quarrel with the Cambodian PM

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2 hours ago, webfact said:

Controversy has erupted over the donation of 10 Chinese-made drones to the Thai army by Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

Quite rightly so, the Chinese are renown for implants within their electronic systems and everyone knows how much Thaksin can be trusted - Not a lot

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If cambodians are using chinese drones... if... then why doesnt thailand use the same tech on them?

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3 million baht for 10 of these dji drones.   Really??

1 hour ago, Raindancer said:

3 million baht for 10 of these dji drones.   Really??

Surely not the discounted (? - P3), the one that is in he OP.  I would suspect one of the DJI Matrice series, and 10 of those would cost about 3M THB.

 

That was my 👎

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3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thaksin will do things to escalate the problems instead of de escalate them.. This so called offer of 10 drones looks nice, but it is just a way to create problems... He is the devil disguise and frustrated by the claims of his hospitalization, and section 112 allegations...And his personal quarrel with the Cambodian PM

For sure.

   "Beware the Greeks bearing gifts".

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I don't have all that much time for Thaksin, but there is an element of "damned if you do or damned if you don't" here!

 

Any commercially available drone is controlled by radio signals. Such transmissions by their very nature can be tracked, revealing the operators location. Certainly there are tactics which can be employed to reduce that risk, remote transmitters fed by ground wire from the operators location, and probably even cleverer technology, but that is down to how they are used and the training of the operating units - and there may lie the weakness!

 

I suspect that the someone is  sore that Thaksin gave them the drones, they would rather have had the cash!

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This man is a walking time bomb. Everything he does leads to disaster. When will he finally understand he is no longer wanted, needed, respected, and relevant? Go away. Get lost. Leave. Your days are over. See ya! 

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Surely not the discounted (? - P3), the one that is in he OP.  I would suspect one of the DJI Matrice series, and 10 of those would cost about 3M THB.

 

That was my 👎

Well we'll not cross swords .  You only "suspect" the model being purchased. 

 

Even the 4 pro comes out at 90k per piece. 

1 minute ago, Raindancer said:

Well we'll not cross swords .  You only "suspect" the model being purchased. 

 

Even the 4 pro comes out at 90k per piece. 

And 10 of those would be how much 🙄

 

Matrice has stated flight time of 55 mins and 15 kms range.  Would be a welcome addition for recon.  Your previous post was silly, ignorant, and unnecessary, hence the 👎

 

Not that I'm a fan, but seemed just an anti Thaksin statement, much like most anti statements against people trying to help.  The hate runs deep with some.

 

The DJI Inspire can cost $20k USD, now that's silly priced :cheesy:

6 hours ago, Raindancer said:

3 million baht for 10 of these dji drones.   Really??

 

A free gift from Cambodia?

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7 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thaksin will do things to escalate the problems instead of de escalate them.. This so called offer of 10 drones looks nice, but it is just a way to create problems... He is the devil disguise and frustrated by the claims of his hospitalization, and section 112 allegations...And his personal quarrel with the Cambodian PM

Hun Sen should open the can of worms on Thaksin...

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This man is a walking time bomb. Everything he does leads to disaster. When will he finally understand he is no longer wanted, needed, respected, and relevant? Go away. Get lost. Leave. Your days are over. See ya! 

Well said.

Off topic bickering posts removed

Arnold Judas Rimmer of Jupiter Mining Corporation Ship Red Dwarf

Thaksin, is a 'Persona non grata', in the UK.

 

...A Civilian Meddling In Military Affairs Now... (?)

Why didn't he just but a load of Thai drones?

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1 hour ago, PopGun said:

Thaksin, is a 'Persona non grata', in the UK.

 

I think it's safe to say at this point that he's a persona non grata in Thailand too. His time is up, and nobody that I've spoken to for quite some time seems to have any affection and respect for him anymore, and that includes his former supporters. 

19 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Why didn't he just but a load of Thai drones?

No real manufacturers of, for recon purposes.   

 

Aerodyne Group, a Thai drone (?) company wouldn't exactly provide much.   Any other Thai 'drone' companies, are too small, upstarts, and probably not a good options.

 

DJI has perfected their drones, and very user friendly.  Seriously, any idiot should be able to operate them with very little training.   Not a slight against RTAF or Army, just facts.

 

I can even build & operate them, without all the bells & whistles ... so nuff said.

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Hun Sen should open the can of worms on Thaksin...

Indeed... I don't understand why did not threaten with it to try calm things.... 

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Indeed... I don't understand why did not threaten with it to try calm things.... 

i suspect he is waiting for the right moment to act on his threats, and i can easily imagine him revealing quite a few secrets ...

 

has no one in thailand ever questioned how yingluck managed to illegally flee the country via cambodia to avoid a possible conviction? it is almost certain this was arranged by teflon toni together with his former friend hun sen. in a true democratic constitutional state, toni would also have to be held accountable for this as well ... but as we all know, thailand is a lot but far from being a democratic constitutional state ...

where's his license and permit ?

 people I know who live in PKK have police ringing there bell warning them about drone possesion nd operation

He’s trying to keep on the good side with his buddies after all they have the power to bring him to his knees it’s called buying time !

9 hours ago, JAG said:

I don't have all that much time for Thaksin, but there is an element of "damned if you do or damned if you don't" here!

 

Any commercially available drone is controlled by radio signals. Such transmissions by their very nature can be tracked, revealing the operators location. Certainly there are tactics which can be employed to reduce that risk, remote transmitters fed by ground wire from the operators location, and probably even cleverer technology, but that is down to how they are used and the training of the operating units - and there may lie the weakness!

 

I suspect that the someone is  sore that Thaksin gave them the drones, they would rather have had the cash!

I don't think Thaksin would donate drones that would make his situation worse, I think the article is worded against him even if I don't like him.

1 hour ago, motdaeng said:

i suspect he is waiting for the right moment to act on his threats, and i can easily imagine him revealing quite a few secrets ...

 

has no one in thailand ever questioned how yingluck managed to illegally flee the country via cambodia to avoid a possible conviction? it is almost certain this was arranged by teflon toni together with his former friend hun sen. in a true democratic constitutional state, toni would also have to be held accountable for this as well ... but as we all know, thailand is a lot but far from being a democratic constitutional state ...

I seem to recall that at the time Yingluck was being held incommunicado in an unknown location. She was very popular with the electorate, and questions were being asked internationally about her fate. The first would have made any form of trial very difficult and likely to cause considerable trouble and both would have made "discrete disposal" equally if not more difficult. The simple solution was for those holding her ( the Junta) to simply take her to the border and hand her over to Cambodia. I doubt that Thaksin had any hand in it. Being hard nosed about It, Yingluck as a (live) prisoner of the Junta, or even perhaps as a martyr, would have been more use to his cause.

The Generals kids will be happy with their new toys. Officially they were shut down by the other side. 

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