On the final day of legislative discussion, charges flutter.
The government was accused of trying to steal money from the budget to pay for the navy’s purchase of a new frigate by the main opposition group Move Forward Party ( MPF ) in parliament.
The problem, known as the” change money” incident, was raised by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MFP record MP,  , on Thursday, the last day of the two- time public conversation in which no condemnation vote was cast. The state and the criticism heatedly exchanged accusations following the allegations.
The” alter money” scandal refers to when a customer buys a product at a pre-arranged, inflated value and the seller returns the amount of money, which is the difference between the actual value and the exaggerated one, to the customer. In this instance, it is viewed as an alleged e-money laundering.
Mr. Wiroj claimed a navy informant informed him that a government employee had contacted the navy to request” change money” from the frigate’s purchase, but the navy refused.
The navy requested a budget to purchase the new frigate in the 2024 fiscal year, but a special House committee tasked with vetting the budget, according to the source. Additionally, the committee rejected the navy’s request for a budget because it had already rejected it.
The new frigate, which will be assembled locally as per the procurement plan, is essential to the navy’s main task, according to Mr. Wiroj, who says HTMS Rattanakosin‘s decommissioning is scheduled to occur in two years.
In light of this, the country will have only three frigates in service, which may not be enough for the navy’s maritime defence missions, he said.
The new frigate, according to Mr. Wiroj, would be the first of its kind to be built in Thailand.
He said the assembly process will generate employment and income for local workers, transfer technical know- how in shipbuilding, and use locally made construction materials.
” The rejection of the budget request means a lost opportunity, and the navy may have to wait until 2026 before it can request a budget again”, he said.
Despite the House committee approving the 2024 budget bill, the navy’s plan to purchase a new frigate was refrained from doing so, according to Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang earlier, saying the plan will remain the same.
Mr. Sutin argued that the project for the purchase of a frigate will still go as planned, but it might occur in other fiscal years rather than the current 2024 fiscal year.
Prior to its planned five-year frigate procurement plan, the navy had requested 17 billion baht from the 2024 budget. In the first year, about 1.7 billion baht would be spent.
According to a source, the new frigate would be stationed along the Andaman coast.
A number of shipyards, including several from the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and South Korea, as well as local companies, have expressed interest in building a frigate for the navy.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said during the general debate that Mr. Wiroj should produce evidence to support his claims in response to Mr. Wiroj’s claims about the” change money” scandal.
The purchase of a new frigate that will be assembled locally is a good idea in theory. But several issues, such as international relations, must also be taken into account. Talks are being held to ensure the navy receives the best deal, he said.
” As I have been listening to you for 40 minutes and I am very surprised ]about the MFP’s backing of the frigate purchase project]. You previously suggested that fishing trawlers should be used to replace the navy’s warships. However, you are supporting the purchase of the new frigate, which baffles me.
Mr. Sutin also stated during the general debate that the MFP opposes military procurement projects every year, but this time, the government was surprised because the MFP supported the purchase of the frigate.