Thai navy seeks approval to buy first submarines in 65 years

[Srikcir]

Other news sources says that the navy is seeking to buy 3 of those subs from China, I hear they come

cheaper by the dozen, can Thailand BE any deeper in China's bosoms than what they're already?

can they GET any cozier with the Chinese this and Chinese that? leaving Thailand a complete

depended on China's whims and wishes?.....

The US had its change but alienated Thailand.. besides either it is the US or China... both will only do what is best for themselves. To think that one is better than the other is crazy. (Unless your an American of course).

it is either the US or China

Not really. Countries offering submarines suitable to Thailand's needs might also include Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Russia, Italy and South Korea. There has been no reports of the RTM contacting any countries other than China for sub purchases. That implies that its purchase from China goes beyond mere matter of economics.

Post Script:

While the USA does have sophisticated diesel electric submarine designs, it does not manufacture nor export diesel electric submarines. US submarine production is only for nuclear submarines.

[gchurch259]

I believe the money should be spent on improving the Education System !!

Why does Thailand need Submarines ? The biggest danger to Thailand is coming by land from the South !!

[Kiwiken]

I have worked it out. Since the US Government in order to court better relations with the ruling Junta has taken Thailand of the top of the list for Human Trafficking. In order to get remeoved completely they need Submarines to smuggle people therefore on the surface Thailand will have no human Trafficking problem. The Junta is cleaning up Thailand,s image simple.....

[NongKhaiKid]

Reading all the reasons and ' justifications ' for buying subs the comments that neighbouring countries are acquiring them jumps off the page.

[bouph12]

Given the inability of just about every Thai I know to close a gate or shut a door behind them, I don't see this ending well.

They should read up on what happened to H.M.S. Artemis.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[Franky Bear]

A sub came tie up alongside any jetty as long as it can handle the Subs draft and length so those that saying it needs a special base are talking crap. The only specialist stuff it needs is cranes and the fittings to lower torpedoes in.

I'm not defending Thailand here. Just pointing out a this little bit of vital information.

[tuanku]

I believe the money should be spent on improving the Education System !!

Why does Thailand need Submarines ? The biggest danger to Thailand is coming by land from the South !!

They already spend more per child than New Zealand, Australia, UK on education. The problem is not the money per se but where the money goes coupled with the reluctance of the upper echelons (who are educated abroad or in International schools) to have an educated population as that would threaten their privileged position.

[DrTuner]

I believe the money should be spent on improving the Education System !!

Why does Thailand need Submarines ? The biggest danger to Thailand is coming by land from the South !!

They already spend more per child than New Zealand, Australia, UK on education. The problem is not the money per se but where the money goes coupled with the reluctance of the upper echelons (who are educated abroad or in International schools) to have an educated population as that would threaten their privileged position.

Indeed, and it's not even about the money. Motivated individuals will find the information they crave for. Open education can give them a clue where to look, for a very low cost.

Wondering why English is not being heavily pushed? Well, then you'd gain access to countless sources of online information, majority of which isn't in line with the Thai dogma. Can't complain though, as they let us furriners share some of the spoils. Like endless line of pretty poor Isaanites f.ex.

My take on it is the luek kruengs savvy in the ways of the world will be a driving force within a few decades, unless Thailand drives itself to a complete pariah state. By the force of their nationality they have the chance. Their uprising hasn't happened yet, as most seem to opt leaving Thailand for good, but if the west keeps deteriorating at the pace it is doing now, I might actually be able to see the change.

[tuanku]

I believe the money should be spent on improving the Education System !!

Why does Thailand need Submarines ? The biggest danger to Thailand is coming by land from the South !!

They already spend more per child than New Zealand, Australia, UK on education. The problem is not the money per se but where the money goes coupled with the reluctance of the upper echelons (who are educated abroad or in International schools) to have an educated population as that would threaten their privileged position.

Indeed, and it's not even about the money. Motivated individuals will find the information they crave for. Open education can give them a clue where to look, for a very low cost.

Wondering why English is not being heavily pushed? Well, then you'd gain access to countless sources of online information, majority of which isn't in line with the Thai dogma. Can't complain though, as they let us furriners share some of the spoils. Like endless line of pretty poor Isaanites f.ex.

My take on it is the luek kruengs savvy in the ways of the world will be a driving force within a few decades, unless Thailand drives itself to a complete pariah state. By the force of their nationality they have the chance. Their uprising hasn't happened yet, as most seem to opt leaving Thailand for good, but if the west keeps deteriorating at the pace it is doing now, I might actually be able to see the change.

Oops i diverted us off topic again. Look for these posts about education to be removed shortly.

[casualbiker]

Prawit said submarines would be useful because Thailand has resources in the Andaman Sea to protect...

Oh, that must be why they spent 540 million baht building the submarine base in Sattahip...

Which is the main Royal Thai navy base. So not really unusual!

[Scotwight]

I believe the money should be spent on improving the Education System !!

Why does Thailand need Submarines ? The biggest danger to Thailand is coming by land from the South !!

They already spend more per child than New Zealand, Australia, UK on education. The problem is not the money per se but where the money goes coupled with the reluctance of the upper echelons (who are educated abroad or in International schools) to have an educated population as that would threaten their privileged position.

Indeed, and it's not even about the money. Motivated individuals will find the information they crave for. Open education can give them a clue where to look, for a very low cost.

Wondering why English is not being heavily pushed? Well, then you'd gain access to countless sources of online information, majority of which isn't in line with the Thai dogma. Can't complain though, as they let us furriners share some of the spoils. Like endless line of pretty poor Isaanites f.ex.

My take on it is the luek kruengs savvy in the ways of the world will be a driving force within a few decades, unless Thailand drives itself to a complete pariah state. By the force of their nationality they have the chance. Their uprising hasn't happened yet, as most seem to opt leaving Thailand for good, but if the west keeps deteriorating at the pace it is doing now, I might actually be able to see the change.

So why do you want to throw away a perfect vehicle for underwater OJT for many future submariners in Thailand? Underwater exploration and construction and navigation are all areas of great future importance. China and North Korea the current role models for Thailand both have subs and space programs. Why not Thailand?

Edited July 3, 2016 by Scotwight

[tuanku]

I believe the money should be spent on improving the Education System !!

Why does Thailand need Submarines ? The biggest danger to Thailand is coming by land from the South !!

They already spend more per child than New Zealand, Australia, UK on education. The problem is not the money per se but where the money goes coupled with the reluctance of the upper echelons (who are educated abroad or in International schools) to have an educated population as that would threaten their privileged position.

Indeed, and it's not even about the money. Motivated individuals will find the information they crave for. Open education can give them a clue where to look, for a very low cost.

Wondering why English is not being heavily pushed? Well, then you'd gain access to countless sources of online information, majority of which isn't in line with the Thai dogma. Can't complain though, as they let us furriners share some of the spoils. Like endless line of pretty poor Isaanites f.ex.

My take on it is the luek kruengs savvy in the ways of the world will be a driving force within a few decades, unless Thailand drives itself to a complete pariah state. By the force of their nationality they have the chance. Their uprising hasn't happened yet, as most seem to opt leaving Thailand for good, but if the west keeps deteriorating at the pace it is doing now, I might actually be able to see the change.

So why do you want to throw away a perfect vehicle for underwater OJT for many future submariners in Thailand? Underwater exploration and construction and navigation are all areas of great future importance. China and North Korea the current role models for Thailand both have subs and space programs. Why not Thailand?

1. Underwater exploration and construction are two very unlikely activities for the Thai Navy to have any competence or interest in. For navigation, they will just take the GPS from their Fortuners

2. No-one is throwing away anything except money. The subs are not actually here (as far as we know)

3. China can afford it, N Korea can't but doesn't care and Thailand also can't and should be considering other civilian priorities first.

4. ITS NOT ABOUT THE SUBS its all about the PROCESS of buying something expensive and therefore enriching oneself to the tune of 30-40% of the purchase price, tax free.

[casualbiker]

I believe the money should be spent on improving the Education System !!

Why does Thailand need Submarines ? The biggest danger to Thailand is coming by land from the South !!

They already spend more per child than New Zealand, Australia, UK on education. The problem is not the money per se but where the money goes coupled with the reluctance of the upper echelons (who are educated abroad or in International schools) to have an educated population as that would threaten their privileged position.

Indeed, and it's not even about the money. Motivated individuals will find the information they crave for. Open education can give them a clue where to look, for a very low cost.

Wondering why English is not being heavily pushed? Well, then you'd gain access to countless sources of online information, majority of which isn't in line with the Thai dogma. Can't complain though, as they let us furriners share some of the spoils. Like endless line of pretty poor Isaanites f.ex.

My take on it is the luek kruengs savvy in the ways of the world will be a driving force within a few decades, unless Thailand drives itself to a complete pariah state. By the force of their nationality they have the chance. Their uprising hasn't happened yet, as most seem to opt leaving Thailand for good, but if the west keeps deteriorating at the pace it is doing now, I might actually be able to see the change.

So why do you want to throw away a perfect vehicle for underwater OJT for many future submariners in Thailand? Underwater exploration and construction and navigation are all areas of great future importance. China and North Korea the current role models for Thailand both have subs and space programs. Why not Thailand?

1. Underwater exploration and construction are two very unlikely activities for the Thai Navy to have any competence or interest in. For navigation, they will just take the GPS from their Fortuners

2. No-one is throwing away anything except money. The subs are not actually here (as far as we know)

3. China can afford it, N Korea can't but doesn't care and Thailand also can't and should be considering other civilian priorities first.

4. ITS NOT ABOUT THE SUBS its all about the PROCESS of buying something expensive and therefore enriching onese lf to the tune of 30-40% of the purchase price, tax free.

The everything about Thailand Oracle!!

[Sawan Chan 7]

Chinese Engineering is terrible.

Thais are terrible mechanics.

Yeah, this will do a lot od sea time.

Three Gorges Dam (Sandouping, Hubei, China)

Record it breaks: The world’s largest hydroelectric power station and world’s largest concrete structure.

Let me spell it out for you: out of five Shuttles–Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavor—two met a disastrous and fiery fate. That’s a 40% vehicular failure rate (updated) and a flight failure rate of 1.5%.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2012/04/18/5-horrifying-facts-you-didnt-know-about-the-space-shuttle/#4a24c1e567b9

I get your point....but there is a big difference pouring concrete and sending rockets out into space!

I get tired of the anti Asian racism here. The Asian kids in American schools are always at the top of the class academically.

I get tired of it too, especially as we now live in Asia. The sad thing is that these people are not even aware that they are racists.

[casualbiker]

Chinese Engineering is terrible.

Thais are terrible mechanics.

Yeah, this will do a lot od sea time.

Three Gorges Dam (Sandouping, Hubei, China)

Record it breaks: The world’s largest hydroelectric power station and world’s largest concrete structure.

Let me spell it out for you: out of five Shuttles–Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavor—two met a disastrous and fiery fate. That’s a 40% vehicular failure rate (updated) and a flight failure rate of 1.5%.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2012/04/18/5-horrifying-facts-you-didnt-know-about-the-space-shuttle/#4a24c1e567b9

I get your point....but there is a big difference pouring concrete and sending rockets out into space!

I get tired of the anti Asian racism here. The Asian kids in American schools are always at the top of the class academically.

I get tired of it too, especially as we now live in Asia. The sad thing is that these people are not even aware that they are racists.

Are the Thai kids at the top? There are very different levels of education and commitment from the kids.

[Sawan Chan 7]

Chinese Engineering is terrible.

Thais are terrible mechanics.

Yeah, this will do a lot od sea time.

OMG, I can't believe you actually really mean what you write!

Chinese Engineering has improved to be one of the best countries in the world. Onlt the UK, USA, Japan and Germany are rated above them!

Thai mechanics are very good in my experience.

Another added to my Thai Bashers list.

[Sawan Chan 7]

A sub came tie up alongside any jetty as long as it can handle the Subs draft and length so those that saying it needs a special base are talking crap. The only specialist stuff it needs is cranes and the fittings to lower torpedoes in.

I'm not defending Thailand here. Just pointing out a this little bit of vital information.

Do you think anyone would actually think you are defending Thailand TB

[Aussie69]

Chinese Tanks , Chinese Subs ... oh wait, I just remembered most Western nations/companies have strict anti-corruption policies

[Alive]

Sure the neighboring countries have deep water, and I am against this but my country sits on the North sea, and our territorial waters are shallow still we have subs. So shallow water alone is not enough not to have them. I do think that the Thai navy could better invest the money elsewhere. But i guess there are big cheques going the way of those that decide to buy from China.

I hope you are not suggesting corruption. If so, you should have evidence to back that up. If not you don't have evidence, you could face legal problems. Where's your evidence? Or do you want to retract this comment?

[Franky Bear]

Chinese Engineering is terrible.

Thais are terrible mechanics.

Yeah, this will do a lot od sea time.

OMG, I can't believe you actually really mean what you write!

Chinese Engineering has improved to be one of the best countries in the world. Onlt the UK, USA, Japan and Germany are rated above them!

Thai mechanics are very good in my experience.

Another added to my Thai Bashers list.

I work with Chinese engineering all the time. I hate it, everyone else i know hates it, it's crap. In my 25 years in this mechanical trade Thais are bad. If i get the CV of a Thai for a job i bin it which is all down to my experience working with them. I do the same for Algerians.

Are you telling me i should change my mind and basically lie about them? It's not Thai bashing at all.

[casualbiker]

Chinese Tanks , Chinese Subs ... oh wait, I just remembered most Western nations/companies have strict anti-corruption policies

And yet many Western nations do business here! Strange isn't it.

[tomacht8]

Hopefully enough windows are installed in these Chinese submarines.
So they can sometimes ventilate properly.

[Scotwight]

1. Underwater exploration and construction are two very unlikely activities for the Thai Navy to have any competence or interest in. For navigation, they will just take the GPS from their Fortuners

2. No-one is throwing away anything except money. The subs are not actually here (as far as we know)

3. China can afford it, N Korea can't but doesn't care and Thailand also can't and should be considering other civilian priorities first.

4. ITS NOT ABOUT THE SUBS its all about the PROCESS of buying something expensive and therefore enriching onese lf to the tune of 30-40% of the purchase price, tax free.

The everything about Thailand Oracle!!

I think you are missing the point that a person in a supervisors capacity of the military would immediately understand. A sub is a thing that has value and can perform numerous real life tasks such as training or just puttering around in the sea. The war on drugs is a waste of countless billions of dollars that ends up in the pockets of drug lords. The wars in the Middle East were a waste of countless billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of lives and why? Because the military/industrial complex didn't have something to do. You have to keep the boys busy. How much payola can you push off with the purchase of 3 subs? Not much when compared to explosive detectors, trafficking task forces, and massage shop raids. A sub is a sub and has a fixed value that anyone knows.

When it comes to foolish government spending 3 subs are really not that bad a deal and you don't have to worry about them motoring down Soi 4 Nana scaring the punters like tanks.

How many foolish things have you bought your wife and kids? Loosen it up a bit and buy the boys some toys and maybe they will go back the the sub base and leave politics to the politicians.

[tuanku]

I believe the money should be spent on improving the Education System !!

Why does Thailand need Submarines ? The biggest danger to Thailand is coming by land from the South !!

They already spend more per child than New Zealand, Australia, UK on education. The problem is not the money per se but where the money goes coupled with the reluctance of the upper echelons (who are educated abroad or in International schools) to have an educated population as that would threaten their privileged position.

Indeed, and it's not even about the money. Motivated individuals will find the information they crave for. Open education can give them a clue where to look, for a very low cost.

Wondering why English is not being heavily pushed? Well, then you'd gain access to countless sources of online information, majority of which isn't in line with the Thai dogma. Can't complain though, as they let us furriners share some of the spoils. Like endless line of pretty poor Isaanites f.ex.

My take on it is the luek kruengs savvy in the ways of the world will be a driving force within a few decades, unless Thailand drives itself to a complete pariah state. By the force of their nationality they have the chance. Their uprising hasn't happened yet, as most seem to opt leaving Thailand for good, but if the west keeps deteriorating at the pace it is doing now, I might actually be able to see the change.

So why do you want to throw away a perfect vehicle for underwater OJT for many future submariners in Thailand? Underwater exploration and construction and navigation are all areas of great future importance. China and North Korea the current role models for Thailand both have subs and space programs. Why not Thailand?

1. Underwater exploration and construction are two very unlikely activities for the Thai Navy to have any competence or interest in. For navigation, they will just take the GPS from their Fortuners

2. No-one is throwing away anything except money. The subs are not actually here (as far as we know)

3. China can afford it, N Korea can't but doesn't care and Thailand also can't and should be considering other civilian priorities first.

4. ITS NOT ABOUT THE SUBS its all about the PROCESS of buying something expensive and therefore enriching onese lf to the tune of 30-40% of the purchase price, tax free.

The everything about Thailand Oracle!!

Thanks, biker. Want to know anything just ask.

[JAG]

I believe the money should be spent on improving the Education System !!

Why does Thailand need Submarines ? The biggest danger to Thailand is coming by land from the South !!

The biggest danger to Thailand, (if by Thailand we mean the current regime and those it exists to serve; they would certainly define "Thailand" as such), is from its own people. Frankly it is difficult to think of any threat which would require submarines to be deployed from a base at the top of the Gulf of Thailand, or how they could be used in those waters.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies about helicopters and car manufacturing have been removed.

[Scotwight]

A sub came tie up alongside any jetty as long as it can handle the Subs draft and length so those that saying it needs a special base are talking crap. The only specialist stuff it needs is cranes and the fittings to lower torpedoes in.

I'm not defending Thailand here. Just pointing out a this little bit of vital information.

No your not. The vital information is. "Thailand's navy inaugurated a £10m headquarters and training centre for its submarine squadron on Monday, even though it has no subs to command. The squadron and its facilities, including a submarine simulator from Germany, were established at an existing naval base in Sattahip, east of Bangkok, on the Gulf of Thailand."

In 2011, Thailand negotiated to buy six small used submarines from Germany for 7.7 billion baht (£139 million), but let the deal expire. It then considered buying two larger new submarines from South Korea for 40 billion baht (£721 million), but no deal was concluded. The navy has sent submarine personnel for training in both Germany and South Korea.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/07/thailand-new-naval-base-submarines

Edited July 3, 2016 by Scotwight

[tuanku]

A sub came tie up alongside any jetty as long as it can handle the Subs draft and length so those that saying it needs a special base are talking crap. The only specialist stuff it needs is cranes and the fittings to lower torpedoes in.

I'm not defending Thailand here. Just pointing out a this little bit of vital information.

No your not. The vital information is. "Thailand's navy inaugurated a £10m headquarters and training centre for its submarine squadron on Monday, even though it has no subs to command. The squadron and its facilities, including a submarine simulator from Germany, were established at an existing naval base in Sattahip, east of Bangkok, on the Gulf of Thailand."

In 2011, Thailand negotiated to buy six small used submarines from Germany for 7.7 billion baht (£139 million), but let the deal expire. It then considered buying two larger new submarines from South Korea for 40 billion baht (£721 million), but no deal was concluded. The navy has sent submarine personnel for training in both Germany and South Korea.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/07/thailand-new-naval-base-submarines

There is still this one

[kaorop]

Sure the neighboring countries have deep water, and I am against this but my country sits on the North sea, and our territorial waters are shallow still we have subs. So shallow water alone is not enough not to have them. I do think that the Thai navy could better invest the money elsewhere. But i guess there are big cheques going the way of those that decide to buy from China.

I hope you are not suggesting corruption. If so, you should have evidence to back that up. If not you don't have evidence, you could face legal problems. Where's your evidence? Or do you want to retract this comment?

Gotta be satire right? If it is, its quite good, if its not, well then, I've still had a laugh, thanks.