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SCMP’s Asia desk

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has backed a revised deal to buy a frigate from China instead of a submarine as the decision faced scrutiny from an opposition-controlled parliamentary panel which said the trade-off was not worth the investment.
State-run China Shipbuilding & Offshore International signed an agreement with Thailand’s navy in 2017 for the Yuan class S26T submarine worth 13.5 billion baht (US$373 million).
The project struggled to make progress after the manufacturer failed to obtain diesel engines made by Germany’s MTU as stated in the contract.
Berlin said the export was refused because of the equipment’s use for a Chinese military item, prompting the firm to offer Chinese-made engines for the vessel.
Why is Thailand’s Chinese submarine deal stalled – and will it go ahead?
But Thailand could not agree on accepting that option despite several rounds of talks.
Srettha, who met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week, said the tweaked deal was the “best option” available.
He said the procurement was favourable to the kingdom though it costs 1 billion baht more than the submarine pact, adding the defence ministry’s negotiation with China was making headway.
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang also echoed Srettha’s views, saying all aspects of the contract, including legal implications, were considered before opting for the frigate.
“I think it’s the best way out under the circumstances,” Sutin said.

Former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn accused the minister of unilaterally deciding to buy the ship, saying the government should fine the Chinese company and demand a refund.
“This [frigate acquisition plan] is not the sort of decision the defence minister can make on his own,” he said.
Sutin said he did not view the modification as a violation of the contract and it just did not turn out as agreed upon.
He said the navy chief and other officials involved in the project were consulted and amending it was necessary to enhance Thailand’s ties with China.
Asean doesn’t want to be ‘forced to choose sides’, says Thai deputy PM
The House committee on national security, led by the Move Forward Party, said it would launch an investigation into the deal.
MFP lawmaker Rangsiman Rome questioned why the navy wanted to add a new frigate to its existing fleet as it had earlier insisted that the submarine was crucial to maintain Thailand’s maritime security, The Bangkok Post reported.
“The force can’t claim one day that it badly needed a sub, and then suddenly it doesn’t want it,” Rangsiman said.
Sutin said he was ready to testify before lawmakers.
Then prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s administration had initially planned to acquire three Chinese submarines worth more than US$1 billion.


Those plans did not materialise following public backlash and the pandemic-induced budget constraints.
Local media reported Srettha raised the frigate issue with Xi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang during their talks at last week’s belt and road summit, where the Thai leader described Beijing as his country’s “elder brother”.
“It is like the saying that China and Thailand are not far from being siblings, but I would like to confirm that China is the elder brother,” Srettha said.
He also committed to strengthening trade and cultural relations with China, and invited Xi to visit Thailand.
China last year pumped US$2.3 billion into the Southeast Asian nation’s major sectors, such as electronics and automobiles, according to the Thai Board of Investments.


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Thailand

Thai PM Srettha Thavisin’s pick of frigate from ‘elder brother’ China over submarine sparks probe into deal

A 039A Chinese submarine. Photo: Captured from X/Twitter 

Thailand’s PM Srettha Thavisin meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on October 19. The two leaders have discussed the Chinese frigate deal, according to local media. Photo: AP

Asean rejects being ‘forced to choose sides’ in major power rivalry, says Thailand’s Deputy PM Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara (right) shakes hands with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu during the Post’s Hong Kong-Asean Summit 2023 on Monday. Photo: May Tse

Thailand can’t ensure ‘happiness’ of pandas, critics say as PM Srettha mulls loan from China

A giant panda eats bamboos at Chiang Mai Zoo in northern Thailand. There are at least 65 giant pandas overseas in 18 countries, including Japan and the US. Photo: Shutterstock 

Thai conservationist Kanchana Silpa-archa poses with an elephant in Surin province. Photo: Facebook/nuna.silpaarcha

Asian elephant Sak Surin, gifted by the Thai royal family and named Muthu Raja or pearly king in Sri Lanka, was returned to its home country. Photo: AP

Thailand’s Chinese submarine deal: why is it stuck in limbo, and will it go ahead?

A Chinese Type 039A  Yuan class submarine, of which the S26T is variant. Photo: Twitter

A model of a Yuan class S-26T submarine of the type Thailand ordered from China. Photo: Handout

A Chinese Type 039A Yuan class submarine, of which the S26T is variant. Photo: Twitter

Malaysia’s first submarine, the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, seen near Port Klang outside Kuala Lumpur in 2009. Photo: Reuters

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha shakes hands with China’s President Xi Jinping in 2016. Photo: AFP

This Week in Asia

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Southeast Asia

Thailand’s opposition is demanding a refund and a fine against the Chinese firm involved in the deal
Thai PM Srettha Thavisin has discussed the revised frigate deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, according to local media


A decision by PM Srettha Thavisin to support the purchase of a Chinese frigate instead of a submarine has prompted an investigation into the deal.


Defence

Srettha Thavisin

Thai PM Srettha Thavisin’s pick of frigate from ‘elder brother’ China over submarine sparks probe into deal

Thailand’s opposition is demanding a refund and a fine against the Chinese firm involved in the deal Thai PM Srettha Thavisin has discussed the revised frigate deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, according to local media

Thailand’s opposition is demanding a refund and a fine against the Chinese firm involved in the deal

Thai PM Srettha Thavisin has discussed the revised frigate deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, according to local media