Defence Ministry
- Thailand News
Royal Thai Navy’s billion-baht battle over subs and frigates
Thailand’s troubled submarine deal and ambitious warship plans are caught in political limbo, with the Pheu Thai-led government showing little urgency in making key defence decisions. As Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra prepares for a censure debate later this month, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)’s long-stalled projects remain up in the air. The RTN initially accepted China’s offer of an S26T…
- Thailand News
South Thailand unrest: Defence chief demands strategy overhaul
Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Minister of Defence Phumtham Wechayachai called for a bold rethink of Thailand’s southern border strategy following a recent motorcycle bomb attack in Pattani that left defence volunteers and civilians injured. In a scathing critique of current measures, Phumtham urged the National Security Council (NSC) to replace the ineffective cycle of lifting and reinstating emergency decrees with a more…
- Thailand News
Royal Thai Air Force selects Gripen jets in 19 billion baht deal
The Defence Ministry is backing the Royal Thai Air Force‘s (RTAF) decision to select Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets over the American F-16 aircraft, as announced by Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, provided insights into the 19 billion baht (US$547 million) plan for acquiring four new fighter jets. The RTAF has opted for Gripen…
- Politics News
Thai parties unite to block anti-coup legislation
A political debate is brewing in Thailand as the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) and the opposition Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP) firmly rejected a proposed legislative amendment to prevent future military coups. The bill, drafted by Prayut Siripanich, a Member of Parliament from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, seeks to alter the Defence Ministry Administration Act. Akradet Wongpitakroj, a spokesperson…
- Thailand News
Pheu Thai Party proposes bill to limit Thai military’s power
Pheu Thai Party has introduced a legislative proposal to curb the military’s influence in Thailand by amending the Defence Ministry Administration Act. This proposed amendment seeks to transfer the authority of appointing generals from the armed forces commanders to a committee appointed by the Cabinet, thereby promoting transparency and meritocracy in military promotions. The proposed change is designed to prevent the…
- Thailand News
Sink or swim: Thai submarine deal stuck in murky waters
Thailand’s long-delayed submarine deal with China remains in troubled waters as Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai admits he’s yet to make a call on the contentious project. “The project’s fate is still not clear because I have not yet studied it. I’ll decide after studying it.” The 13.5 billion baht procurement of an S26T Yuan-class submarine has been stalled amid political…
- Thailand News
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 News
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 News
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 News
Thai defence minister demands US offset details for F-16 jets
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang urged the United States to provide comprehensive details on the offset policy related to acquiring F-16 fighter jets by today. The Thai government remains undecided on whether to opt for the Swedish-made Gripen by Saab AB or the US-made F-16 Block 70/72 by Lockheed Martin for its air force. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) aims…
- Thailand News
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 News
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 News
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 News
Budget battle: Defence minister stands his ground on expenditures
During the ongoing budget debate in Parliament, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang fiercely defended his military spending plans against a barrage of criticism from the opposition. The Move Forward Party (MFP)’s Wiroj Lakkanaadisorn launched a scathing attack on the defence budget last Friday, June 21, accusing it of prioritising troop salaries and benefits over the advanced weaponry necessary for modern warfare.…
- Thailand News
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 News
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 News
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 News
Defence minister considers law review after southern violence
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang intends to reassess the special laws currently enforced in Thailand’s Deep South, aiming to address the surge in violence in the region. Sutin revealed his plan to visit the southernmost provinces soon, following recent outbreaks of violence. This announcement came after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin shared on his social media channels that he would also be…
- Thailand News
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…
