Coming to Thailand

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thailand's Navy needs to get ship-shape
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- JUST IMAGINE these two scenarios: an aircraft falling from the sky into the Gulf of Thailand, or a large liner sinking in the Andaman Sea. What would be the response from the Royal Thai Navy? The answer is clear: nothing.

Fortunately, Malaysia's MH370 and South Korea's Saewol incidents occurred outside Thai territorial waters. Otherwise, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) would have been exposed to the core - that they did not have the capacity or capability to carry out the search and rescue in the middle of two oceans, let alone perform the much more sophisticated underwater operations. Their ability for search and rescue is extremely limited, subject to coastal areas and inland waterways. They have a small group of divers.

Before putting the horse before the cart - in this case the desire to purchase three powerful submarines, it is important to understand the real geo-strategic circumstances Thailand is facing to protect its maritime sovereignty and interests.

The current debate on the price, the home of the builder and the engineering configuration have not helped Thais to understand why their country needs to have submarines.

Indeed, Thailand was the first Southeast Asian country to run submarines. It was during the reign of Rama VI, of King Vajiravudh, that the plans to acquire six submarines were discussed. It would take another two decades, in 1930, before four Japanese-made submarines were delivered to Thailand and used during the Indochina War and World War II. The role of the almighty Thai Navy was completely decapitated followed Japan's defeat during WWII and the aftermath of the infamous Manhattan coup of 1951. The submarines were decommissioned and relegated to history.

Since then, the Navy has been playing third fiddle, following the Army and the Air Force. There was a brief moment of glory when Thailand acquired an aircraft carrier in 1997, Chakri Naruebet, which until today still has not been put into full use. In fact, it has become a butt of jokes about "an aircraft carrier without any aircraft."

The Thai Navy's historical mishaps, coupled with an inability to manage and operate the region's first aircraft carrier, the rough-handling of people-in-distress at sea and long lists of alleged malfeasance, do not augur well for their ongoing efforts to modernise their maritime defence capacity. A better communication strategy was badly needed.

Since January 1997, after the establishment of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Centre-Thai-MECC - the centre has been the main mechanism to coordinate well over 30 agencies to deal with whatever challenges arise at sea. It has become cumbersome and ineffective as part of the Thai-MECC efforts to eradicate illegal fishing, modern slave labour and human smuggling, have demonstrated.

Under the Prayut government, the Thai-MECC has been revamped and better-equipped with new mandates and equipment - to the same level of Internal Security Operations Command to take up maritime challenges.

The Navy's role was brought to the fore due to the increased incidents at sea in past years, in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans, involving transnational crimes including piracy, human trafficking, thefts and burglaries. Several unreported incidents of piracy and siphoning thefts of fuel occurred in the past three years in the Gulf of Thailand that highlighted the Navy's failure to prevent a recurrence of these incidents.

But it was the Rohingya boatpeople crisis that drew the Thai Navy most forcefully to the public's attention. First of all, it was their lawsuit against the [crusading web site] Phuket Wan's allegation that some of their officials benefited from human trafficking. Secondly, it was the influx of Muslims from Bangladesh and Myanmar during the first weeks of this year. For the time being, the boatpeople's arrivals have temporarily died down due to the monsoon season and tighter patrols.

But what made the headlines in past weeks was a different story altogether. The planned purchase of three submarines from China worth Bt36 billion was the bone of contention. For nearly seven decades after the acquisition of Japanese-made submarines in the 1930s, the Thai Navy has been clamouring for new submarines to protect the country's vast maritime areas. The Andaman Sea is an important sea lane of communication that passes through the Straits of Malacca, leading to the South China Sea.

Thailand has 3,219 kilometres of coastline [the World Factbook] - while the Gulf of Thailand has 1,972 kilometres of coastline - with a total maritime territory of 320,00 square kilometres.

Last month, the 17-member scrutinising committee agreed unanimously to go for the Chinese-made submarines. The Navy thought that this time, with the strong consensus of all armed forces, a quick decision to buy could be made without hassles as in the past. One big contributing factor that necessitates the submarine's acquisition has been the new six-year national maritime security plan, which has been incorporated with the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2014-2019). The estimated value of Thailand's maritime resources at Bt7.5 trillion annually - a bit inflated - has all but fired up the desire to protect this key national interest.

The planned acquisition is part of the government's ongoing efforts to ensure efficient policy implementations under the slogan "Secured Country, Prosperous People". The strategies include seven action plans that would improve the navy's maritime connectivity and capacity building, infrastructure and equipment upgrading, seafarers' training, protecting the marine environment, promoting eco-tourism and the fishery regime in Thailand.

All things considered, Thailand needs to upgrade its maritime defence capacity. In the coming years, the old and emerging maritime powers could make the Indo-Pacific maritime zone an active playground. The country also must be ready to engage with other Asean members in planning and joint operations. Under the Asean Political-Security Community, maritime security cooperation is one of the priority areas as part of the Asean Community's building efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Thailands-Navy-needs-to-get-ship-shape-30265273.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-27

[oneday]

No, I can't believe this article. Why, Thailand is all prepared to buy 3 submarines from China. It already has great prestige with it's superbly maintained and ultra-modern aircraft carrier. Certainly, this means Thailand has a ship-shape Navy prepared for all emergencies................or not.

[halloween]

The writer poses 2 highly unlikely scenarios and then goes on advocate increased spending on the navy and, it seems, buying submarines. Submarines would be a fat lot of good in either scenario.

Anybody who has been here long enough will remember the navy's patrol boat purchase some years back as a total debacle. After the funding was passed, the specs were suddenly revised downward right across the board, and the navy ended up with far less capable craft. Where the price difference went is anybody's guess.

BTW the 17 member scrutinising committee's job was to decide WHICH sub to buy, not WHETHER they were needed.

Edited July 27, 2015 by halloween

[bamnutsak]

Since the Army-Navy game of 1951, aka: the Manhattan Rebellion, the RTN has been the poor cousin hidden away in the woodshed. Can't see this changing anytime soon.

[FangFerang]

Amazing Thai Navy -- when you can't do what you need to do today, make tomorrow more complicated. throw huge wads of money at it, graft, and repeat.....

[Lupatria]

After reading the 6th paragraph I got the impression the author is desperately wishing to become victim of a libel action case.

[The Deerhunter]

Most of the gulf of Thailand is less than 80 meters deep. Which means nowhere to hide in the event of war except in port beside the carrier. And the submarines would need wheels. They cannot actively maintain or put to any functional use, what they already have. Why give them more until they can show a naval capability with what they currently possess.

[masquerade]

Just useless dribble, everyone knows that Thailand has a Navy for only one reason, to control human trafficking. Without the control, it would become every man, woman and child for himself, with illegals and traffickers running all over the place. If you are going to have crime make sure it is organised crime.

[BSJ]

Here's a thought. Instead of buying submarines why not buy aircraft that can detect and bomb enemy submarines using the little used aircraft carrier as a mobile base. Funnily enough the US made MH-60R helicopter is ideal for the task!

[klauskunkel]

There was a brief moment of glory when Thailand acquired an aircraft carrier in 1997, Chakri Naruebet, which until today still has not been put into full use. In fact, it has become a butt of jokes about "an aircraft carrier without any aircraft."

joke soon to be expanded: "aircraft carrier without aircraft and submarines without submariners"

[crusty]

Here's a thought. Instead of buying submarines why not buy aircraft that can detect and bomb enemy submarines using the little used aircraft carrier as a mobile base. Funnily enough the US made MH-60R helicopter is ideal for the task!

Even better is the Australian Littoral Combat Vessel which carries it's own squadron of attack helicopters and a fully equipped marine battalion which can be deployed in hours as this vessel ca do 45 knots. The Americans like this vessel so much they've ordered dozens to be built by the Australians in Alabama. This vessel is better suited for Thailand than obsolete submarines.

[jerojero]

How can the Navy possibly be effective without submarines? We are so unfair to the poor poor Navy. Maybe Mr PM can spare a billion or three?

Edited July 27, 2015 by jerojero

[toenail]

The article talks about the missing Malaysian flight scenerio as if this would be a reason for Thailand to purchase an obsolete submarine from China. Even all the high tech submarine craft that surveyed the bottoms of the Indian ocean could not located this missing plane. According to a few Thai friends that I have that were/ are in the Thai navy -- what they have now is in neglect. Everything needs to be upgraded and modernized. Maybe a priority list needs to be created and I am sure the need for submarines would be bottom of the list.

[joebrown]

There was a brief moment of glory when Thailand acquired an aircraft carrier in 1997, Chakri Naruebet, which until today still has not been put into full use. In fact, it has become a butt of jokes about "an aircraft carrier without any aircraft."

joke soon to be expanded: "aircraft carrier without aircraft and submarines without submariners"

As a resident of Sattahip I can assure you there is a squadron of submariners (60 or more souls) who've collected their salaries for the last 60 years, without having to dive any deeper than the Naval base swimming pool. What a life of comfort and wasted taxpayers money! I can't imagine they'd be too pleased by the thought of having exchange a life of leisure for life in a submarine.

Edited July 27, 2015 by joebrown

[mikemac]

After reading the 6th paragraph I got the impression the author is desperately wishing to become victim of a libel action case.

I got the same impression when I read post #8 , he is obviously confident the Navy does not read TVF.

[casualbiker]

Here's a thought. Instead of buying submarines why not buy aircraft that can detect and bomb enemy submarines using the little used aircraft carrier as a mobile base. Funnily enough the US made MH-60R helicopter is ideal for the task!

Even better is the Australian Littoral Combat Vessel which carries it's own squadron of attack helicopters and a fully equipped marine battalion which can be deployed in hours as this vessel ca do 45 knots. The Americans like this vessel so much they've ordered dozens to be built by the Australians in Alabama. This vessel is better suited for Thailand than obsolete submarines.

Possibly but they certainly seem to have some problems of their own!

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2013/November/Littoral_combat_ships_-_lessons_learnt_from_the_US

[thesetat2013]

I don't understand why they don't some jets for their planeless aircraft carrier before they buy subs? Fix one problem before making a new one

[casualbiker]

I don't understand why they don't some jets for their planeless aircraft carrier before they buy subs? Fix one problem before making a new one

Possibly because I don't think any jets are currently manufactured that could actually use the short runway!

But i believe it could be converted into a helicopter carrier!

Edit: according to wiki the HTMS Chakri does have a contingent of helicopters, possibly they are not actually on the carrier at all/any time. It is actually a very small ship in relation to other aircraft carriers.

Edited July 27, 2015 by casualbiker

[casualbiker]

It's at least 10metres shorter than the one underlined and 5,000ton smaller payload!

[casualbiker]

See above

[Srikcir]

"increased incidents at sea in past years"

And none of them would have been prevented, abated or aided by military submarines!

This article just reinforces the idea that the Junta has already made a commitment to purchase the Chinese subs for whatever undisclosed reason. The coincidence of the sub purchase from China subsequent to Prayut's 2014 Security Agreement and Dual Rail project with China may not be so accidental.

Nor might Prayut have the option to cancel the purchase without serious diplomatic reprocussions with China. Especially since he has chosen to cut normal relations with the US and democratic nations by his unabated and prolonged suppression of democracy.

[jaywalker]

I don't understand why they don't some jets for their planeless aircraft carrier before they buy subs? Fix one problem before making a new one

They do have some F-16's & F-15's in Korat.

Not sure how many as I was working at the Army Base, but they were flying low enough (and quite frequently) for the week I was there & it was easy to make out what kind they were.

I have also stood on the dock next to the aircraft carrier.

It is tiny and antique, with a giant ramp at the end, which is better suited to launching maybe a WW 1 biplane than a modern jet.

[casualbiker]

I don't understand why they don't some jets for their planeless aircraft carrier before they buy subs? Fix one problem before making a new one

They do have some F-16's & F-15's in Korat.

Not sure how many as I was working at the Army Base, but they were flying low enough (and quite frequently) for the week I was there & it was easy to make out what kind they were.

I have also stood on the dock next to the aircraft carrier.

It is tiny and antique, with a giant ramp at the end, which is better suited to launching maybe a WW 1 biplane than a modern jet.

1994 is old but not really antique. It's a VTOL carrier.

[ratcatcher]

Most of the gulf of Thailand is less than 80 meters deep. Which means nowhere to hide in the event of war except in port beside the carrier. And the submarines would need wheels. They cannot actively maintain or put to any functional use, what they already have. Why give them more until they can show a naval capability with what they currently possess.

Thailand doesn't need submarines, but they want them."Need and want"

If there was ever a serious threat to Thailand's sovereignty, this lot would be coming over the horizon before you could say "Dive, dive, dive".

[The Deerhunter]

There was a brief moment of glory when Thailand acquired an aircraft carrier in 1997, Chakri Naruebet, which until today still has not been put into full use. In fact, it has become a butt of jokes about "an aircraft carrier without any aircraft."

joke soon to be expanded: "aircraft carrier without aircraft and submarines without submariners"

It's already "wannabe submariners without a submarine."