Of course they do so they can be safely docked somewhere for selfies to be take posing in front of them.

If they actually go to sea will there be a standing order that under no circumstances must they dive ?

Owww!...the hatch....the hatch!

Yes Thailand needs Chinese subs.

Got to keep the Chinese happy.

Totally useless for the Thai navy to have subs, but hey it is toys for the boys time.

Lets buy some subs, then ground them in the shallow waters in the gulf of Thailand.

Stupid idea, but Prayut needs to keep the navy on side.

You are right,the income of wealth needs to b shared by all services.The Army and Air Force can easly generate large incomes via the purching of every day equipment with out raising any undue attention,But The Navy's income outside of inventive creating of the cost of fuel ,food and such find it very hard.A Sub purchased lets say at 12 billion baht actualy cost about 5 billion baht with a fictual company in between (that the government ownes) absorbing the other 5 billion baht. Now the government after keeping their %0 % has about 2.5 billion baht to award the navy for their support in the coup. So Yes in this way they need the sub.

A few subs will certainly bolster a world class military that has fought many successful coups in the past 100 years. This will help defend the Chao Phraya during the next coup planned shortly after the next election. ... are we allowed to mention the "C" word on this site

Oh I just thought of it....

They should make sure they get yellow submarines

Would be a breach of copyright as well

Copyright Theft, does that happen here ?

"China would also transfer knowledge on the submarine maintenance, systems, and weapons."

I wonder if could get a small discount if skipped the knowledge base on sub maintenance.... ? Don't need what don't do

Do they need an aircraft carrier without aircraft,same same but different. Does the UK need Trident,probably not but it's 'nice to have'

You have to buy something to get the commissions.

regards worgeordie

Oh I just thought of it....

They should make sure they get yellow submarines

Would be a breach of copyright as well

Copyright Theft, does that happen here ?

In theory yes in practice no

...and they're as far away as they could possibly be from the only Navy's in the world who could attempt a rescue before their air expired!

They should just increase the military procurement budget, not buy anything and explain where the money went...

Transparency in government...

Does Thailand really need submarines?

The headline should read:

How many will get their share of the $1 billion purchase and will it be enough?

They will be useful as artificial coral reefs, or indeed Barnacle Farms, like the aircraft carrier dumpe... berthed in Sattahip.

Thailand needs submarines about as much as they all need lobotomys ...... hang on ..

It was a very simple question using easily understandable language, therefore it only requires a simple understandable answer.

NO

There seems to be some confusion between this article by The Diplomat and that reported on July 1 in both the Bangkok Post AND Xinhua, the official press agency of the People's Republic of China (see http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-07/01/c_135482012.htm).

According to these sources, Deputy PM Prawit had confirmed that the RTN will be purchasing the submarines (on instalments)!

However, regardless of whether the purchase still needs to go to cabinet (as suggested in this article) or not, this time Big Pom appears determined to ignore criticism of the cost of the subs, rejecting claims the money could be better used to boost Thailand's sluggish economy.

Interestingly, this could be seen more as face-saving, considering that just one year ago, The Diplomat reported Big Pom announcing the purchasing plan would “not be submitted to the cabinet", citing the need to take into account “public reception” (http://thediplomat.com/2015/07/is-chinas-new-submarine-deal-with-thailand-now-in-peril/).

Regardless of whether Thailand needs submarines or not, it would appear the junta, and their navel-gazers are determined to pursue their quest to acquire something to park at their submarine base at Sattahip in spite of what other Thais may think.

As history seems to have a way of repeating itself (especially in Thailand), someone should remind junta-head and his army cronies that the last time Thailand had submarines, navy officers attempted a coup! This might help put the idea on the beach (where it belongs) once and for all.

No. And nobody needs a flashy car either, but flashy cars are commonly purchased by those who can. The subs will be bought, sooner or later, for the same reason. It's human freakin' nature.

I sit back and watch wearily. I already resigned from the human 'race'.

And 1 billion dollars is only the start for the toys for the boys.

All this money wasted when it could go into health and education of the poor.

Same old same old. Anyone north of Bangkok..... Well we all know where they stand.

Throw in the mothballed blimp, GT200 fiasco and the aircraft carrier with no planes and they want submarines. Can the Finance Ministry demand damages for tax payer money wasted like they did with Yingluck?

Of course they do so they can be safely docked somewhere for selfies to be take posing in front of them.

If they actually go to sea will there be a standing order that under no circumstances must they dive ?

Owww!...the hatch....the hatch!

K. Sir there's a lot of water, I think the toilets leaking.

this is a silly topic. but if we were to talk about what Thailand might need, and conceivable in our lifetimes (the peer reviewed Hansen study, just a few months ago) maybe they need what their most important neighbors already have? in a area that alliances such as that with the USA will not be of help at all. India, Pakistan and China... having gone back and forth across those borders not too long ago.... like the low pressure that makes for good circulation in a house, or allows planes to fly... at the same time Bangkokians will be in a fix, so will 100,000,000 Bangaladeshians and where o where will they choose to go if their choice is salt water and starvation... ? that's not the itsey bitsy Middle East.. and add in the Vietnam Delta at the exact same time!

Id like to get hold of a few litres of what you've been taking.

You farang don't know anything! How can you have an opinion about this question when you know that only "THEY" can answer it correctly. YOU MUST refer this question to those who know how to answer it BEST - you stupid Farang!

Of course they need them, as any navy with an long coastline does. It's for patrol rather than attack and to keep any threats (that may materialise) at bay.

The submarines are for China to use when they want to 'protect' the South China Sea; China will fly in the crew and borrow the subs.

YES!....because soon that will be the only places where the night entertainment industry will be able to carry out business as usual

Trident submarines, for sure!!!!

I've been on a few next to Thailand, but it was super secret confidential!!!!!!

be good way for stealthy Myanamir-folk smuggling

No....

But new jet skis would be ok.

One word... No.... Submarines are about projecting power rather than defense.... or for moving your nuclear weapons around as a deterrent..... All they need for defense is sonar based listening posts setup around and maybe destroyers with depth charges to protect the coastal area.

You definitely have very limited military knowledge.

Well then add something and enlighten me.... what purpose does submarines serve for a country like Thailand?

I did. See # 33.on the why.It is about sharing with the Navy,On their military needs the explnation would take too long a text and you wouldn't understand any way. Sorry.

Edited July 21, 20169 yr by sanukjim

I have two Thai navy officer friends and they think buying these subs is absurd. They think the money should be used for things like better schools.

Well then add something and enlighten me.... what purpose does submarines serve for a country like Thailand?

I did. See # 33.on the why.It is about sharing with the Navy,On their military needs the explnation would take too long a text and you wouldn't understand any way. Sorry.

Silly me, I actually thought you were being serious

Of course they do it's raining really hard this morning!

Yeah. Don't get your hair wet. You'll catch a cold!