Thai Army vows to delay military purchases amid contagion crisis

[webfact 79,128]

Army vows to delay military purchases amid contagion crisis

By The Nation

 

 

The Army will delay the purchase of military equipment in order to prioritise national recovery efforts in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Defence Ministry announced on Wednesday (April 8 ).

 

Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich said cuts to the 2020 budget for military equipment and projects were being considered, since the country needed to heal after the pandemic.

 

The Defence Ministry was well aware of what needed to be prioritised for future situations. The military’s mission was to protect and help the people, and support the government in solving national problems while maintaining the availability of troops and military equipment to protect the country.

 

"Any [military procurement] project that can be delayed without affecting foreign contracts must be delayed. The Army is currently considering which projects will come under the 2020 budget, and will continue to discuss the projects in the 2021 budget," said Kongcheep.

 

The spokesman pointed out that 2020 budget funds had already spent and military contracts under the budget may have binding contracts.

 

As for the pending purchase of submarines under the 2021 budget – a controversial matter at this time of national crisis – the spokesman said that Navy is considering the matter and related legal regulations carefully, realizing that budget must be used to restore the nation and economy as well.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30385631

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-04-09

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[Justgrazing 19,675]

31 minutes ago, webfact said:

As for the pending purchase of submarines under the 2021 budget – a controversial matter at this time of national crisis – the spokesman said that Navy is considering the matter and

has now decided to go for a cheaper clockwork one for patrolling shallow soapy waters .. 

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Justgrazing
Sp

[Grumpy John 5,214]

Lets see some hard numbers.  Talk can be a load of hot air with no substance.

[smedly 34,668]

one of the major problems in this country - the military operates independent of the government and they shouldn't, military budget and how much and when to spend and on what should be 100% under the control of central government

[Denim 13,317]

15 hours ago, smedly said:

 the military operates independent of the government 

 

Not really. The military are the government.

 

Until real democracy returns the military will continue to do what they like , when they like , without having to ask by or leave from anyone and without any transparency or accountability.

[whaleboneman 2,725]

28 minutes ago, smedly said:

one of the major problems in this country - the military operates independent of the government and they shouldn't, military budget and how much and when to spend and on what should be 100% under the control of central government

i think it is. government, military, aww never mind.

[Surelynot 7,851]

This is very concerning. I'm already on a knife edge with Covid19. What if Laos suddenly decide to sweep in through Isan, or we suddenly need submarines to defend against a Malaysian surface attack. NOT HAPPY.

[mok199 11,343]

Only because Kerry is ''swamped''.....

[BobbyL 6,274]

Good to see that the sacred Thai military are doing something for the general public. 

[mfd101 3,319]

Looks like the subs will be diving for cover ...

[fforest1 5,612]

Absolutely NO to scuttling the subs.....The Thais might lose face if the sub order is canceled......Who cares if 10 million people are now jobless.....Face #1.....

[justin case 2,296]

how does the army deal with this, all bunked together

 

the grunts that is, not the elites in their free housing

[worgeordie 44,553]

They need to cancel all purchases for weapons of war,who is the enemy,

This time they are been beaten by an enemy they cannot see with the naked

eye,Covid 19 is the latest and most serious virus to come out of China,the

next one ,and there will be a new Virus,could be airborne,and spread even

more quickly.this is the battle countries now need to fight.

 

We don't need more tanks,subs,guns,planes,battleships, the whole World

now needs to wake up,it's more Hospitals,specialised health equipment,

Schools,improved education, train more Doctors,Teachers, not Soldiers.

 

Regards Worgeordie

 

 

[donnacha 5,402]

"All the money is gone" said surprised Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich, "It turns out that our entire economy actually was dependent on tourism after all"

 

 

[Yadon Toploy 2,284]

With the constant threat of invasion from the warlike nations on the borders, namely Burma, Cambodia and Laos, I have to wonder if this has been thought through properly?