Flashermac Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Bangkok Post 1 Jan 2010 The Royal Thai Navy is looking into the feasibility of buying submarines for military and economic security reasons, navy chief Kamthorn Pumhirun says. A feasibility committee has been set up to study submarine technology. The navy will push for the purchase of the submarines, priced at 20 billion baht each, when there is enough money available. In the meantime, Admiral Kamthorn said, the navy might buy a second-hand submarine for training purposes. The idea is to buy a used submarine costing less than a billion baht and recondition it. "The reason for acquiring submarines is to fulfil our military strategy. It's not something we want to pursue on a whim," Adm Kamthorn said. The navy chief said neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam all had ordered submarines from Russia. The submarines, he insisted, could serve many purposes and were a necessity. The committee's task is to keep pace with developments in submarine technology. "We want to make sure that once we are able to afford submarines, we'll be ready for them," Adm Kamthorn said. He stressed that buying submarines would not lead to an arms race. Countries with submarines would command strong bargaining power in international negotiations. He said the country needs at least three or four submarines, but initially there might only be enough money for one. Adm Kamthorn said buying a submarine took a lot of planning as the navy would have to wait for three years for delivery after placing an order. Thailand had four Japanese-made submarines in the past, but they were never replaced after decommissioning because newer models were too expensive. [color:red]Adm Kamthorn said the submarines would help strengthen the economy. They would help safeguard the country's natural resources, fisheries, oil exploration, export cargoes and tourism.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted January 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Guess the Navy figures their aircraft carrier and Harriers need company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroyinEwa/Perv Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 They don't have any right now but need 3 or 4 however will settle for 1 used sub to "keep up with the Jones'" This whole article sounds like a kid telling his mommy that his friend has new toy and he wants one just like it. No need for submarines for Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Thailand NEEDS subs...then I will get some work ($$$)!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 [color:red]Thailand NEEDS subs[/color]...then I will get some work ($$$)!!! Sounds like overtime for youngfarang. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coss Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 How will they get them up the rivers? As far as I can see the water around Thailand is quite shallow, so where would these be useful? I guess the could look out the windows at snorkeling Swedish women and sunken containers full of dissidents... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamui Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 How will they get them up the rivers? As far as I can see the water around Thailand is quite shallow, so where would these be useful? I guess the could look out the windows at snorkeling Swedish women and sunken containers full of dissidents... They need them to attack Khmer fishing boats in the Mekong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted January 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 The RTN had some pre-WWII Japanese made subs, which eventually were retired since parts obviously were no longer available. I recall reading that subs aren't that useful in the Gulf of Thailand, since the coastal waters are so shallow that submerged subs could be spotted from the air! But the RTN had to have its aircraft carrier - which is too expensive to run and sits at anchor all the time. Incidentally, there is no part of Thailand or Thai waters that cannot be reached by land-based aircraft. Boys and their toys??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simie Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Flash, I seem to remember seeing that most of the Harriers that where supposed to go on the carrier spend a lot of their time on the ground due to lack of money/parts etc as well. Simie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted January 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2010 Yep. They bought second hand Harriers, so they needed constant work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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