Ten reasons why Thailand actually should buy the subs

[Ulic]

If the Thai navy can afford a 36 billion baht submarine program (plus cost overruns and operating

budget), it has 36 billion too much in it's budget which should be trimmed.

[Saan]

Im pro junta but these subs are a crazy thing to buy. The writer of this story is totally right. Healthcare is far more important then a few subs. Its not like the military has a small budget or something like "I;m pro junta"

"I'm pro junta.....'

Too many steroids.

[jerojero]

Ten reasons. Stupid, foolish, idiocy, dumbest, simpleton, mindless, brain dead, ignoramus, witless and bonehead.

[Thakkar]

Reason # 11:

A sub is huge, hard-as-steel phallic symbol, and the military needs more phallus, dammit.

T

[Benmart]

In a true democracy, it is the right of it's citizens to ask why and to scrutinize those who assume power, either by election, appointment or otherwise.

[Ulic]

If the Thai navy can afford a 36 billion baht submarine program (plus cost overruns and operating

budget), it has 36 billion too much in it's budget which should be trimmed.

Edited July 11, 2015 by metisdead
Font.

[rodknock]

they can park the subs along side all those shiny overpriced(gotta get our brown bag) red fire trucks they bought and never used.

just another waste of money just trying to keep up with the joneses!!

monkey see monkey do. other countrys have subs, so we must have.

who is going to rescue the subs when they sink because maintance was put off. they will find some one to blame! kinda like the airplane situation. ignore it and may be it will go away.

when all is said and done they can also park all those new buses with the fire trucks and submarines. i know, make it a tourest attraction and charge people to come and see the junk. maybe by then they can add a couple of crashed airplanes. aka Thailand world(similar to disney world).

[ginjag]

Good topic and well put.

I totally disagree with the buying. Imagine a Thai sub in the gulf periscope up searching ---but it is sitting on the sea bed.

[ginjag]

In a true democracy, it is the right of it's citizens to ask why and to scrutinize those who assume power, either by election, appointment or otherwise.

What happened to the Amnesty---rice--tablets (schools) but that was only a sham democracy.. I agree with elections if the electorate understand what is going on informed the truth---stability first.

[ginjag]

Im pro junta but these subs are a crazy thing to buy. The writer of this story is totally right. Healthcare is far more important then a few subs. Its not like the military has a small budget or something like "I;m pro junta"

"I'm pro junta.....'

Too many steroids.

It's ok R. let Saan go back to total corruption, and in reality eventual anarchy......smile as he is in the minority.

[oldsailor35]

I must say, that i was mystified as to why Los needs subs, but after the very enlightening post by Litebeer i now understand.

Edited July 11, 2015 by oldsailor35

[oldsailor35]

Good topic and well put.

I totally disagree with the buying. Imagine a Thai sub in the gulf periscope up searching ---but it is sitting on the sea bed.

Quite often, the periscope would not be needed. Just sit on the seabed and open the main hatch

Edited July 11, 2015 by oldsailor35

[Ulic]

Triple post

Edited July 11, 2015 by Ulic

[joshstiles]

amazing thailand.....how many wells could be drilled in thailand for 36 billion which would help thailand more than 3 fudge packing subs

the doom continues

[smedly]

landing gear down 30% flaps.......Dive Dive Dive.................thud

I can understand were this is coming from, US and UK carrier groups always have escorting subs and would be incomplete without them, I'm pretty sure during Cobra Gold various senior Navy Officers have seen how effective they are and the vital roll they play, but lets face it - these subs if bought would remain in dry dock and one thing is for sure - they would never be allowed to participate in any Naval exorcise with the US

Edited July 11, 2015 by smedly

[akentryan]

There is only one reason for the purchase of the submarines. A ton of money is going to end up in the foreign bank accounts of a select few.

How about if they just go to Subway and buy a sandwich for every Thai citizen. Keep the savings in offshore accounts if you so desire. At least the operating, maintenance and berthing costs would be eliminated.

[ramrod711]

Reason # 11:

A sub is huge, hard-as-steel phallic symbol, and the military needs more phallus, dammit.

T

That's pretty good, but I think my reason # 11 is better. The subs will look really good/impressive parked next to the aircraft carrier.

[sammygood]

unless it is for tour guiding under water in the sub

[Thakkar]

Reason # 11:

A sub is huge, hard-as-steel phallic symbol, and the military needs more phallus, dammit.

T

That's pretty good, but I think my reason # 11 is better. The subs will look really good/impressive parked next to the aircraft carrier.

Reason #12

Sailors need to do it deeper.

Reason #13

Weeks of clammy, close-quartered living with other men is why I joined the navy.

Reason #14

Seamen need to dive.

[Jonmarleesco]

'... being chosen over other bidding nations is a big fancy feather in China's cap. Just to show how tickled they are, they're throwing in free training and a bit of maintenance.' Training incentive will presumably be a banana instead of a carrot; and free bubble gum for the maintenance.

[eliotness]

Just watched British forces TV.....they are about to commission a new submarine in the next month or so..Britain as you will know has a history of submarine warfare and they have been training for 2 years already and it hasn't gone to sea yet....that says it all I feel...and have they got underwater rescue facility because they really are going to neqed it...

In the UK the crews of submarines are present during the entire building of their vessel so as to help them understand how everything fits together and works. Combine this with the Royal Navy's 100+ years of experience and you will see the Thai's having 3 Chinese subs is just an accident waiting to happen.

[Jonmarleesco]

Reason # 11:

A sub is huge, hard-as-steel phallic symbol, and the military needs more phallus, dammit.

T

'... and the military needs more phallus, dammit.' Now, now, that's not the way to describe the good generals and admirals.

[Jonmarleesco]

Just watched British forces TV.....they are about to commission a new submarine in the next month or so..Britain as you will know has a history of submarine warfare and they have been training for 2 years already and it hasn't gone to sea yet....that says it all I feel...and have they got underwater rescue facility because they really are going to neqed it...

In the UK the crews of submarines are present during the entire building of their vessel so as to help them understand how everything fits together and works. Combine this with the Royal Navy's 100+ years of experience and you will see the Thai's having 3 Chinese subs is just an accident waiting to happen.

Not to worry. The UK's Hinckley Point nuclear power plant will shortly be an enhanced accident waiting to happen.

[Dap]

Excellent "Comic Relief" ... and much needed as well

[JAG]

As they say in Somerset (where I'm from).

Red sky in morning, shepherds warning, red sky at night, Hinckley's alight..

And believe me, where oi am from, long words like Hinckley and shepherd makes you an intellectual! !

Edited July 11, 2015 by JAG

[sawadee1947]

well done.

[lewy67]

I wonder if the kickbacks will be going to the Bangkok or Singapore accounts?

[rametindallas]

Dont forget that 36 million is only the buying price. What about the extravagant maintenance costs and spare parts and training ? Nobody in the navy has even been in a submarine !!! As Thailand has never had subs before where will they get the essential skilled technicians to do the maintenance ? Oops, sorry, they dont do maintenance ! So what about the storage costs when they break down ? If they are lucky enough not to break down in the depths of the Gulf. Another folly like the Blimp, nuclear power and democracy.

Even IF, and that's a big if, they learn to operate/maintain those subs proficiently, they will never learn proper tactics to deploy them in anything but a show-off parade. I think it would be cheaper to hire three submarines, with crew, from China; like you hire a taxi. At least the Chinese would know how to deploy them for best effect.

.

[Artisi]

It's Ok, they can park them along side the aircraft (minus aircraft ) carrier - great for open-days and school excursions - so all is not lost.

That's unless of course they crash a few into the bottom of the gulf or hit something very hard when not looking - but be assure if anything nasty goes wrong it won't be a Thai fault.

[djjamie]

Since I have been on a role (223 to 0) I am going to go on a limb and make another prediction.

What the navy want and what they get are two different things. I know the government will not buy these subs. Why? Prayut is receptive to the wishes of the majority as much as some deny it and the majority have said very strongly that they do not want or need these subs. Prayut will listen to them..In fact the Navy admiralty should be challenged on this proposal and present a transparent business case as to why they need them.

If they do buy the subs please rub this comment in my face and I will be the first to state I was wrong (to err is human remember), but until then don't reply with short comments denouncing or belittling me.

Edited July 11, 2015 by djjamie