PUBLISHED: 6 Mar 2024 at 04: 00
A special House committee tasked with vetting the 2024 expenditure has dismissed the military’s charm against its decision to reject the military’s ask for a budget to fund the purchase of a new ship, according to a resource yesterday.
The House council rejected the charm by 37 vote, while 16 voted in behalf, with six nays.
However, the army did send another demand in the next fiscal season, the source said.
The announcement comes a time after Royal Thai Navy captain Adm Adoong Pan- devops appealed the subcommittee’s refusal, saying in a text that a fresh ship is needed to boost the nation’s maritime defences.
In the email, Adm Adoong said a new ship is vital to the navy’s primary mission of maintaining the country’s geographical sovereignty, especially since the navy is planning to dismantle its latest frigates over the next couple of years.
According to a military source, HTMS Chao Phraya and HTMS Bang Pakong may be decommissioned in 2026, while HTMS Naresuan may pursue in 2034 and HTMS Taksin in 2035.
The army had before asked for 17 billion ringgit from the 2024 budget to fund its submarine sourcing plan, which it planned to apply over the next five times. About 1.7 billion ringgit would be spent in the first year.
The new ship may be deployed along the Andaman Coast, the supply said.