Defence Ministry

  • Thailand NewsEnlist now, reap rewards: PM hails modern Ministry of Defence

    Enlist now, reap rewards: PM hails modern Ministry of Defence

    The Ministry of Defence is shaking up Thailand’s military recruitment strategy, swapping the conscription model for a voluntary one packed with incentives and young Thais are taking note. In a recent visit to Infantry Division 6 in Roi Et province, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai lauded the successful transformation, highlighting that voluntary enlistment has surged significantly.…

  • Thailand NewsJirayu Houngsub to become new Thailand govt spokesperson

    Jirayu Houngsub to become new Thailand govt spokesperson

    Jirayu Houngsub, previously a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, is on course to become the new government spokesperson next week. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra appointed Jirayu as her public relations adviser yesterday while his credentials are further scrutinised. The screening process for political appointees intensified due to a surge in ethics-related complaints. The Pheu Thai Party and PM Paetongtarn are…

  • Thailand NewsThai defence minister appoints ex-RTA expert as secretary

    Thai defence minister appoints ex-RTA expert as secretary

    Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai appointed General Trisak Indararusmi, a former expert with the Royal Thai Army (RTA) and a former classmate of ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as his secretary. This appointment precedes Phumtham’s official commencement at the ministry, set for Monday. Gen. Trisak, an alumnus of Class 10 from the armed forces preparatory school, is expected to bring significant experience…

  • Thailand NewsDefence minister announces new commanders in military reshuffle

    Defence minister announces new commanders in military reshuffle

    A significant military reshuffle list is nearing completion, pending final adjustments from the new Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and his Deputy General Natthapol Nakpanich. The proposed list, which includes appointments for new leaders of the armed forces and other high-ranking positions, was discussed at a meeting on Tuesday. This meeting saw the participation of six top commanders and officials from…

  • Thailand NewsUS offers lower interest rates on F-16s jets to sway Thailand

    US offers lower interest rates on F-16s jets to sway Thailand

    The United States proposed lowering the interest rates for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to purchase F-16 fighter jets in a bid to persuade the Thai government to choose American-made aircraft over Sweden’s Gripen jets. According to a Defence Ministry source, this offer follows the RTAF’s recent announcement that it is considering the Gripen jets, following a procurement committee…

  • Thailand NewsEarly retirement scheme slashes Thai Defence senior ranks

    Early retirement scheme slashes Thai Defence senior ranks

    The Cabinet approved an early retirement scheme for senior Defence Ministry officials, effective this October. According to insider sources, the initiative is set to revolutionise the armed forces by offering retirement packages to over 700 top brass. The ambitious three-year campaign aims to retire 732 high-ranking officials, approximately 244 each year, slashing the defence budget by an impressive 4.47 billion…

  • Thailand NewsSubmerged in controversy: Sutin to meet PM over submarine deal

    Submerged in controversy: Sutin to meet PM over submarine deal

    Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang announced today that he will meet Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin next week to discuss the controversial submarine procurement project. Sutin revealed that if the prime minister approves, the proposal will be swiftly submitted to the Cabinet for final approval. “Once China answers this key question, I will compile all the information for the prime minister to…

  • Thailand NewsThailand and France boost defence ties with 200 billion baht deal

    Thailand and France boost defence ties with 200 billion baht deal

    Thai and French officials convened a special seminar to enhance the defence industries of both nations, with Thailand aiming to procure defence products valued at 200 billion baht over the next two decades. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and the French Ambassador to Thailand Jean-Claude Poimboeuf opened the Thailand-France Seminar on the Defence Industry 2024 at the Office of the Permanent…

  • Thailand NewsDefence ministry clarifies salary guidelines

    Defence ministry clarifies salary guidelines

    To quell public outrage, the Defence Ministry unveiled comprehensive guidelines detailing what can and cannot be deducted from conscripts’ salaries. The move follows a recent scandal involving dubious salary deductions by the 22nd Logistics and Supports Battalion. The guidelines, released on the ministry’s website today, clarify the permissible deductions from the 11,000 baht monthly salary of conscripts. This announcement comes…

  • Thailand NewsThailand aims to amend laws to boost arms exports

    Thailand aims to amend laws to boost arms exports

    The Thai Defence Ministry is moving to amend four key laws to facilitate arms exports, namely domestically produced weapons, aiming to bolster Thailand’s defence industry. During a recent meeting, Defence Ministry officials, including General Somsak Rungsita and Vice Defence Minister Jumnong Chaimongkol, discussed the necessary changes to national security legislation. High-ranking representatives from the Defence Industry Department, the Defence Technology…

  • Thailand NewsThai-made armoured vehicles and pistols delivered to Bhutan

    Thai-made armoured vehicles and pistols delivered to Bhutan

    In a momentous event overseen by Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang, a ceremony unfolded today to transfer a cache of arms to Bhutan’s police force. The consignment included 10 armoured vehicles and 230 pistols, all manufactured by two Thai companies. Set against the backdrop of the Defence Ministry‘s permanent secretary office building, the ceremony symbolised the strong defence cooperation between Thailand and…

  • Thailand NewsThailand to launch cyber-command unit for digital defence

    Thailand to launch cyber-command unit for digital defence

    Thailand is poised to bolster its cyber warfare capabilities with the establishment of a dedicated cyber-command unit by October. This initiative, revealed by Jirayu Huangsap, spokesman for Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang, aims to strengthen the country’s defence against emerging digital threats. General Songwit Noonphakdi, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF), has been tasked with creating the unit following…

  • Thailand NewsMilitay Defence reforms raise concerns among military brass

    Militay Defence reforms raise concerns among military brass

    Proposed reforms to the administrative laws governing the Defence Ministry and amendments to the Military Court charter have raised concerns among senior military officials, as they apprehend potential political meddling in military matters, disclosed a trustworthy military insider. The proposed amendments, acknowledged at a Defence Ministry meeting last week, include new criteria for promoting generals and the power for the…