Facing heat from the public, Thailand has delayed its controversial US$724 million purchase of two submarines from China as the kingdom’s economy flatlines due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Under a 2015 deal, Thailand was one of the first countries to buy Chinese naval hardware and finalised its purchase of three submarines in 2017, with the first one expected to be delivered in 2023.
An order for two more for 22.5 billion baht (US$724 million) was approved in August by a parliamentary sub-committee – a move which drew public outrage as Thailand struggles with a freefalling economy.
Angry citizens took to social media to criticise the deal, and the hashtag “People don’t want submarines” trended on Twitter.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri later announced that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha – also defence minister – had “requested the navy to consider a delay” in the purchase of the two additional submarines.
“The navy will negotiate with China to delay for another year,” Anucha said.
Prayut’s military-aligned administration is under fire from near-daily protests demanding his resignation and a complete overhaul of the government.
Thailand’s economy is also undergoing one of its worst periods in more than 20 years, contracting 12.2 per cent in the second quarter as its tourism – and exports-led sectors have been hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Besides questioning military purchases and the government’s handling of the economy, the pro-democracy movement is also calling for reforms to the unassailable monarchy.
The increasingly bold requests from the youth-led protesters have drawn ire from arch-royalist camps, who have held counter-demonstrations to demand that protesters “do not touch the monarchy”.