Defence minister says Thailand needs submarine to protect sea interests

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said Friday that Thailand needs at least a submarine to protect its interests in the sea, whose economic value is increasing.

He said he will talk to the Navy chief and if Navy chief agree a submarine procurement plan will be sent to the Cabinet for deliberation.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Defence-minister-says-Thailand-needs-submarine-to--30250709.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-26

As long as he is not suggesting the protection of assets in the Gulf of Siam....unless he is suggesting VERY deep pockets to combat the VERY shallow water!

To protect.............

Thai shrimps from ASEAN shrimps

They could always look into a Yellow Submarine.

If that happened we'd have a New Wreck to dive on soon.

Thailand also desperately needed an aircraft carrier to "protect its interests in the sea". Today the vessel is slowly rusting away moored at a pier in Sattahip.

Generals are like spoiled children. They soon lose interest in their toys and want new ones.

So long as they buy from the shelf not like OZ and invest in an unknown Collins class that now is ok but in the early stages was a pig, Thailand must understand that maintenance up keep is high and between the subs and the rail projects will possibly blow the Thai budget on up - keep out of the water.

They are confusing need and want. I doubt that they need one, but they want one. I am curious about what interests they need to protect that can't be protected from above the water.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778646-navys-submarine-acquisition-plan-can-wait/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/741352-thai-commander-welcomes-new-submarine-centre-despite-lack-of-subs/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/457742-thai-navy-seeking-cabinet-nod-for-submarines-frigates-upgrade/

Not quite as popular as the swastika threads but close.

Need a submarine to protect what?

Waters in the gulf of Thailand are to shallow for submarine operations.

They are confusing need and want. I doubt that they need one, but they want one. I am curious about what interests they need to protect that can't be protected from above the water.

Can't sneak up on people as well. Subs go underwater - very stealthy. Could catch illegal shrimp pirates. I can see many uses.

if Thailand were serious about protecting it's Sea interests, it should take it's Aircraft Carrier, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet in for a total refit and overhaul, than give it an air wing and a full compliment of sailors. Nothing protects and projects any Countries interests as an Aircraft Carrier is capable of doing. Thailand would just be wasting money on having a single submarine in it's fleet. It just does not make sense at all. Refit that Carrier before the hull rusts out and sinks at dockside.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778646-navys-submarine-acquisition-plan-can-wait/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/741352-thai-commander-welcomes-new-submarine-centre-despite-lack-of-subs/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/457742-thai-navy-seeking-cabinet-nod-for-submarines-frigates-upgrade/

Not quite as popular as the swastika threads but close.

Cue the "taxi driver returns xxxx bazillion baht" thread......

Yes, and please don't forget the spacecraft too ...

Thaitanic!!

That would be a great way to get large bags of money outta the country eh? :-)

If they handle it like they handled the helicopters tragic farce which happened a couple of years ago the "ennemies" should not worry about anything

actually they purchased already some from Germany a few years ago...only problem is they wont get them before they have a stable government for at least 10 years...though ain't gonna happen...

Sneak preview here of the secretly ordered prototype as ordered to Thai design specifications.

To protect.............

....................car parks...................

Are they getting the one with the screen door?

Protect its interests at sea from whom? Cambodia?

His Majesty has already stated in a speech that Thailand did not need a submarine.

Why do these generals keep insisting they want one ? Has some power shift

occurred ? Funny stuff.....

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2011/04/08/on-thailands-submarine-ambitions/

"The utility of submarines to Thailand is disputed, not least by the country’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej. In December 2007, in response to the navy’s annual demand for submarines, the king noted in his birthday address that the boats were unsuitable for the country as the Gulf of Thailand was to shallow for them operate and that they may become stranded in the mud. The navy politely responded by saying the monarch’s advice would be considered in any future plans to acquire submarines."

"

Edited December 26, 201411 yr by EyesWideOpen

"The Gulf of Thailand is relatively shallow: its mean depth is 45 metres (148 ft) ..." Wiki

I'd love to see folks on TV suggest uses for this submarine since 'sub' 'marine' isn't an option.

Sounds to me like another deal with China about to be announced....

Protect its interests at sea from whom? Cambodia?

Boatloads of Rohynga can be sunk without any comeback?

In fact it is very simple. Thailand can buy a perfectly good modern submarine from China. To save maintenance costs Thailand can give the maintenance contract to China. To save training and staffing costs Thailand can subcontract the crewing and shore support to China and rent a Chinese port berth.

To get around the shallow water problem in the gulf of Siam, Thailand can task this submarine with protecting its interests in the South China Sea, maybe off the coast of Vietnam or the Philippines.

Oh, and to save blue paint, Thailand can paint a Chinese flag on the conning tower.

His Majesty has already stated in a speech that Thailand did not need a submarine.

Why do these generals keep insisting they want one ? Has some power shift

occurred ? Funny stuff.....

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2011/04/08/on-thailands-submarine-ambitions/

"The utility of submarines to Thailand is disputed, not least by the country’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej. In December 2007, in response to the navy’s annual demand for submarines, the king noted in his birthday address that the boats were unsuitable for the country as the Gulf of Thailand was to shallow for them operate and that they may become stranded in the mud. The navy politely responded by saying the monarch’s advice would be considered in any future plans to acquire submarines."

"

Which sadly again proves, that Thai politicians misuse the Kings name, whenever it suits their agenda!!

A disgrace!!

Can you imagine a Thai operating a submarine, and then forgot where he left it because he sold it to the Russians.

Maybe stopping the raping of the waters by overfishing and pollution might be a better approach to protect the sea.

Translation: We need something big and expensive that we can add tens of millions of dollars in corruption money to.