Seda Innovation Challenges 2024: Pioneering sustainable energy solutions 

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  • Challenge winners will reveal a prize pool of US$ 3, 400&nbsp,
  • aims to promote cutting-edge technology that uses solar energy for the transition to a global scale.

The SEDA Innovation Challenge 2024, a collaboration between SEDA Malaysia, IEEE Kuala Lumpur Subsection, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), UCSI University, and Leave a Nest (M) Sdn Bhd, aims to identify and promote innovative renewable energy technologies as part of the global energy transition, held in conjunction with the 6th International Sustainable Energy Summit (ISES) 2024 which took place from 20 to 21 August 2024.

SEDA Innovation Challenge 2024 has reached its final step, with five tasks set to thrive. The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony held on October 1st, 2024, at the 2024 IEEE R10 Humanitarian Technology Conference ( HTC ) in accordance with the final project documentation due by September 2024.

The challenge is a collaboration between the Sustainable Energy Development Authority ( Seda ) Malaysia, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ( IEEE ) Kuala Lumpur Subsection, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UCSI University, and Leave a Nest ( M ) Sdn Bhd. It aims to find and market cutting-edge technologies that make use of solar energy to support a global energy change.
 
The top five winners are:

  • With their initiative titled” Energy Control Cost Optimization System,” Amsolar Ecos.
  • Unique Edge Technology- UTM is proud of their initiative” MERCAT – Microgrid.”
  • Vem X with their task: Virtual Energy Manager: Real-Time Monitoring and Predictive Insights for Enhanced Energy Reliability
  • UCPVC with their initiative, SolCurve: Seamless Remote PV Monitoring System
  • Sunshine with their job, FarmE

This initiative, held in conjunction with the 6th International Sustainable Energy Summit ( ISES ) 2024, focuses on integrating sustainability into the core of innovation, emphasising reducing environmental impact, improving efficiency, and promoting responsible resource management. It provides a cooperative program for multidisciplinary approaches to address pressing issues facing the green energy sector, enabling innovators to provide flexible, actionable solutions with the potential for widespread adoption.

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Center hosted the 6th International Sustainable Energy Summit ( ISES ) 2024 ) from 20 to 21 August 2024. The news of the Seda Innovation Challenge’s winners comes as a backdrop for this mountain, which also emphasizes the value of green energy options in shaping a cleaner, more resilient future.

Hamzah Hussin, organising head of the 6th ISES 2024 and CEO of Seda Malaysia, stated,” The Seda Innovation Challenge 2024 is a important stride in our work to speed the world energy transition through technology and assistance. Individuals are pushing the boundaries of renewable energy technology by showing extraordinary creativity and commitment to sustainability. We anticipate that the ideas presented here will motivate others and open the door for potential improvements that are robust and cleaner.

Prof. Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, vice-chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, added,” Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is committed to advancing green energy solutions through creativity and collaboration. Our goal is to promote research and development in renewable energy technologies through our involvement in the Seda Innovation Challenge 2024. We think that corporate alliances and inter-disciplinary methods are necessary to address the complex issues posed by sustainable development. We are glad to help activities that contribute to a cleaner and more resilient coming by supporting this competition and provide entrepreneurs with an excellent platform to showcase their innovative ideas.

Technology would be the key to accelerating the energy transition, according to Lee Chean Chung, a part of the Authority Seda Malaysia who presented the document to the winners. He added,” Work to embrace conservation are at the base of your improvements, with a focus on minimising ecological impact, enhancing performance, and promoting responsible source management”.
 
Individuals in this year’s problem are competing in three important categories, each targeting a specific aspect of renewable energy technology: &nbsp,

document. Artificial Intelligence Insights: Aiming to increase energy efficiency through integrated data evaluation for improved decision-making. &nbsp,

iii. Blockchain and the Internet of Things ( IoT ): By monitoring energy systems to improve reliability and efficiency through continuous data flow. &nbsp,

iv. Attempting to optimize renewable energy locations using environmental impact and resource efficiency, the Smart Geographical Information System ( GIS ) and the Digital Twin.

The winners of the Seda Innovation Challenge 2024 will share a prize pool of US$ 3, 400 ( RM15, 000 ), distributed across the following categories: i. Innovation Award: Recognition of the most innovative systems in renewable energy. iii. Impact Award: Awarded for the job that has the most important positive effects on the environment and society. iv. Women’s Choice Award: Acknowledging the most popular task as voted by ISES visitors.

The Seda Innovation Challenge 2024 highlights the crucial role that sustainable energy solutions play in creating a cleaner and more resilient coming and highlights the extraordinary qualities of entrepreneurs.

For information on the Seda Innovation Challenge, please visit https ://www .seda.gov.my/seda-innovation-challenge/

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Woman fined for bringing maid to Singapore from the Philippines to work illegally

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SINGAPORE: A Filipino woman who brought her maid from the Philippines to Singapore to work for her household of seven was fined by a court on Monday (Sep 2).

Fodor Janelle Joven, 32, was fined S$8,800 (US$6,730) after pleading guilty to one count of hiring a domestic worker without a valid work pass under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).

The court heard that Joven had a Singaporean partner. They had two children and stayed in a three-room Housing Board flat with Joven’s in-laws, making a total of seven occupants in the flat.

Joven was in Singapore on a short-term visit pass.

Before coming to Singapore, Joven hired 45-year-old Belen Jennifer Parungao as her domestic helper in the Philippines.

In around early May 2022, Joven suggested that Parungao come to Singapore and work for her as a domestic worker. 

Joven said they would not apply for a work pass. Parungao agreed and entered Singapore on May 19, 2022, on a short-term visit pass.

As Joven herself was on a short-term visit pass, she would make arrangements to travel out of Singapore together with her maid so they could renew their passes and stay in Singapore for longer.

They made a total of six such trips.

For about 11 months from May 19, 2022, to Apr 11, 2023, Parungao worked illegally as Joven’s maid, performing household chores and caring for Joven’s children.

She worked from 5am to 10pm daily, earning 10,000 to 12,000 Philippine pesos, or about S$240 to S$290, each month. She was not given any rest days.

Parungao’s salary was remitted to Joven’s mother in the Philippines, who would transfer the money to Parungao’s family.

On Apr 26 last year, employment inspectors from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) investigated the case after receiving information on the possible contravention of EFMA laws.

Joven married her Singaporean partner on Jul 11, 2024.

The prosecution sought a fine of S$9,000 to S$10,000 for Joven, citing the need for deterrence and the difficulty of detecting such cases.

“Such offences are typically only discovered upon inspections or receipts of complaints, as in the present case,” they said.

Joven had also avoided detection by extending Parangao’s stay in Singapore through six trips to countries in Southeast Asia, allowing her to remain in Singapore and work for Joven.

Visitors on short-term visit passes are not allowed to take on employment in Singapore.

The circumvention of MOM’s work pass framework has also undermined the framework’s integrity, said the prosecution.

“One of the main purposes of this framework is to safeguard more vulnerable foreign employees, such as (Parangao) who had no prior working experience in Singapore,” they said.

“Illegally employed domestic workers such as (Parangao) would not be able to avail themselves of the protection afforded by the work pass framework such as insurance.”

For employing a foreigner without a valid work pass, Joven could have been jailed for up to 12 months or fined between S$5,000 and S$30,000.

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Adani Ports and SEZ buys 80% of Singapore’s Astro | FinanceAsia

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Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), India’s largest ports and logistics company, has agreed to acquire a 80% stake in Singapore’s Astro, in an all-cash deal for $185 million, implying an enterprise value of $235 million, according to an August 30 company media release.

Incorporated in 2009, Astro is a leading global offshore support vessel (OSV) operator in the Middle East, India, Far East Asia and Africa.

The Singapore firm owns a fleet of 26 OSVs including anchor handling tugs (AHTs), flat top barges, multipurpose support vessels (MPSVs) and workboats and provides vessel management and complementary services. During the year ending 3April 30, 2024, Astro posted $95 million revenue and $41 million earnings, before, interest, tax , depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA). As of April 30, 2024, Astro was net cash positive.

Astro’s customers include NMDC, McDermott, COOEC, Larsen & Toubro and Saipem, and is a key player in the offshore construction & fabrication and offshore transportation markets, including oil & gas. 

Astro also helps support the construction and maintenance of offshore platforms, oil & gas fields and subsea facilities allowing it to service the offshore exploration & drilling markets.

Astro’s vessels also support leading international dredging companies, including large offshore construction and land reclamation projects.

In the statement, Ashwani Gupta, whole-time director & CEO, APSEZ, said: “Astro’s acquisition is part of our roadmap to becoming one of the world’s largest marine operators. Astro will add 26 OSVs to our current fleet of 142 tugs and dredgers, taking the total count to 168.”

He added: “The acquisition will also give us access to an impressive roster of tier-1 customers while further consolidating our footprint across the Arabian Gulf, the Indian subcontinent and Far East Asia. We look forward to working closely with Astro’s leadership team and scaling up the current platform.”

Mark Humphreys, managing director, Astro Offshore, said: “Over the past 15 years, we have created an impressive company trajectory, driven by strategic investments in our OSV fleet and deep relationships with our customers.”

Humphreys added: “This partnership with APSEZ represents a critical inflection point for us. Together, we can accelerate growth to add further scale and diversity to our fleet mix, expand our geographical footprint and deliver more end-to-end solutions to our customers.”

There are no regulatory approvals required and the transaction is expected to close within a month, subject to fulfilment of operational conditions precedent.

The transaction is expected to be value accretive from the first year, the statement said. 

For more M&A coverage from FinanceAsia click here.


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Pope Francis to set off on historic 12-day visit to Asia Pacific, including Singapore and Indonesia

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INTER-RELIGIOUS HARMONY

One key theme of the trip is inter-religious harmony. Pope Francis is set to engage not only with local Catholic groups, but also leaders of other faiths and political figures.

He is due to arrive in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon, and will officially meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Pope is then expected to attend an interfaith meeting at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta before leading a mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium complex, where around 80,000 Catholics are anticipated to attend.

Indonesia has the largest Muslim population of any country. Catholics make up 3.1 per cent of its total population of about 280 million.

Observers said the world will look at how much Pope Francis promotes diversity, as well as how much closer he brings the Vatican to Asia.

The tour also holds great significance, given that Asia is considered an important region to the Vatican. Pope Francis has made six previous trips to the continent throughout his papacy.

Dr Michel Chambon, research fellow at the Asia Research Institute’s religion and globalisation cluster, noted that Asia is becoming “more central” in global affairs.

“Asia is maybe one of the few continents that has been able to preserve and develop alternative political models and traditions, religious traditions and political traditions,” he told CNA.

“And so, if the Holy See wants to be truly universal, it has to engage with Asian traditions that have been extremely resilient and creative in engaging with modernity.”

Singapore’s former foreign affairs minister George Yeo, who was also previously a member of the Vatican Council for the Economy, pointed out that Pope Francis has appointed bishops from all over Asia, as well as cardinals from every country in Southeast Asia.

“He does it to express the idea of a universal church, that this is not a European church. It’s not a western church,” Mr Yeo added.

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Vontobel names Clarabelle Ho as Asia head of intermediary clients | FinanceAsia

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Vontobel, an international investment firm, has appointed Clarabelle Ho as head of intermediary clients Asia.

Ho (pictured) has moved from BlackRock, where she was responsible for intermediary distribution as part of the Asia Pacific (Apac) wealth team, based in Singapore. She started at Vontobel on Friday, August 16, and will continue to be based in Singapore reporting to Wei Kai Lee, head of institutional clients Apac at Vontobel, FinanceAsia understands. Ho replaces Benny Gay who previously did the same role, and left the firm in November 2023, according to a Vontobel spokesperson. 

Ho has more than 15 years of experience dedicated to private and retail bank wholesale fund distribution in Southeast Asia (SEA) and the broader Asian region. According to the media release, she is responsible for developing the firm’s distribution business by establishing and supporting partnerships with major financial intermediaries at Vontobel.

“We are pleased to welcome Clarabelle to Vontobel,” Singapore-based Lee said in the release. “Her established track record, client-focused mindset and industry knowledge will strengthen our engagement with key stakeholders and sharpen our commitment to delivering innovative investment solutions that meet investors’ evolving needs.” 

Vontobel is an international investment management firm with Swiss roots, providing investment and advice to private and institutional clients. The firm has been in Apac since 2008, and have teams in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, and Sydney.

Headquartered in Zurich, Vontobel has offices in 28 locations world-wide. Vontobel Holding’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, with the majority owned by the founding family. As of June 30, 2024, Vontobel held approximately CHF225.9 billion ($259.3 billion) of total client assets.

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FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2024: entries are now open | FinanceAsia

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FinanceAsia’s annual Achievement Awards recognises excellence in bringing together those issuers, banks, investors, advisors and other market participants, who are working hard to develop and expand Asia Pacific’s (Apac) financial markets.

This year, for the first time, we are also looking to recognise excellence in the fast-growing markets of the Middle East.

We are looking to recognise the standout companies and strategies that are redefining the way issuers and investors are interacting with markets and adapting to evolving regulatory requirements and diverse needs, amid an increasingly competitive environment.

There are both Deal awards and House awards across a range of categories and markets. For more details please see here for Apac and here for the Middle East. 

In addition, our Deal Maker Poll rewards individuals who have been instrumental in closing some of the region’s most ambitious deals over the last 12 months.

The timeline for the deals is October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.

We look forward to your participation and seeing your entries! Please click here to find out how to enter at our dedicated Awards website. For frequently asked questions click here and for list of our experienced judges see here. 

Key dates: 

August 19: Awards’ launch

Early-bird entry deadline: September 6, 2024

Main entry deadline: September 19, 2024 

Entries’ evaluated by judges: October 2 to November 6, 2024 

Winners’ announced: November 2024 

Awards’ ceremony: February 2025, date TBD  


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Platinum Equity buys controlling stake in Inventia Healthcare’s OSD arm | FinanceAsia

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From Invascent’s India Life Sciences Fund III, New York Life Investment Management Jacob Ballas India Fund III, and affiliates of the company’s founding Shah family, US private equity firm Platinum Equity has acquired a controlling stake in the core Oral Solid Dosage ( OSD ) business.

A majority stake in Inventia is still owned by the Shah home. Invengene and Nutriventia, the injectables and nutraceuticals companies, respectively, are certainly part of the transaction and are being retained differently by the Shah home, according to an August 30 press release. &nbsp,

The acquisition’s financial details and the stake’s length were not made public.

Inventia, which has its headquarters in Mumbai, was cofounded in 1985 by the late president and managing director Janak Shah and Maya Shah, both of whom are now senior directors. For both ordinary and value-added pharmaceuticals, Inventia has around 100 customers who supply both semi-finished and finished OSD formulas. Inventia’s colleagues include global and local medicine companies that sell in more than 40 countries across North America, South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa.

In Maharashtra, India, Inventia runs a manufacturing facility in Ambernath and a research and development center in Thane. The company’s manufacturing platform is accredited by the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ), the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) and other&nbsp, regulatory authorities.

” This investment represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Inventia. We are thrilled to discover Platinum Equity’s expense in our main OSD company, said Maya Shah and the later Janak Shah in a joint statement due to Janak Shah’s new departure.

They added:” This relationship will funnel Inventia’s advantages and Platinum’s operational knowledge to force us to new levels. We are firmly committed to our vision, and we are assured that this partnership will encourage further development and innovation. Our vision for Inventia has always been to deliver high-quality, available medical items, and with Platinum Equity, we believe this vision will only increase stronger”.

The Asia funding team at Platinum Equity, based in Singapore, is tasked with leading the acquisition.

In a statement, Platinum Equity managing director Amit Sobti stated,” We believe Inventia is a solid platform for development in a fragmented industry, and our goal is to create a larger, more developed B2B firm focused on the beautiful but underprivileged emerging industry.” &nbsp,

By bringing in our operational and financial resources to further institutionalize the organization and set it up for success on a substantially greater range, Sobti continued,” We are excited to develop upon the strong base set by the Shah home.” Inventia’s existing product pipeline you generate strong healthy growth over the near future, which we will look to enhance through acquisitions, with an emphasis on broadening the company’s product portfolio and capabilities”.

Kotzubei stated that Platinum Equity will continue to look for platform deals in India that are appropriate for the company’s investment strategy in addition to looking for Inventia add-ons.

There are more opportunities available today that fit our approach, he explained, and the buyout market in India is continuing to evolve. ” There are more mature businesses with a greater need for operational support, including founders or family-owned businesses looking for a partner who can provide both operational expertise and capital. We have a lot of experience in those situations”.

Platinum Equity’s exclusive financial advisor on the transaction was Barclays. Trilegal and Lacham Watkins acted as India legal counsel for Platinum Equity while Austin Watkins was their international attorney. Kirkland &amp, Ellis provided financing counsel to Platinum Equity on the transaction.

Rothschild &amp, Co and Stifel Nicolaus India ( formerly Torreya Partners ) served as financial advisers to the sellers. Quillon Partners provided legal counsel to the sellers during the transaction.

FinanceAsia has reached out for more information.

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Platinum Equity buys controlling stake in Inventia Healthcare | FinanceAsia

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Invascent’s India Life Sciences Fund III, New York Life Investment Management Jacob Ballas India Fund III, and affiliates of the company’s founding Shah family have all acquired controlling stakes in Inventia Healthcare’s core Oral Solid Dosage ( OSD ) business from private equity firms Invascent’s India Life Sciences Fund III, New York Life Investment Management Jacob Ballas India Fund III, and other companies.

A majority stake in Inventia is still owned by the Shah home. Invengene and Nutriventia, the injectables and nutraceuticals companies, respectively, are certainly part of the transaction and are being retained differently by the Shah home, according to an August 30 press release. &nbsp,

The size of the play or the financial terms of the merger were not made public.

Inventia, which has its headquarters in Mumbai, was co-founded in 1985 by the late president and managing director Janak Shah and Maya Shah, both of whom are now senior directors. For both ordinary and value-added pharmaceuticals, Inventia has around 100 customers who supply both semi-finished and finished OSD formulas. Inventia’s companions include global and local medicine companies that sell in more than 40 countries across North America, South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa.

In Maharashtra, India, Inventia runs a production facility in Ambernath and a research and development center in Thane. The company’s manufacturing platform is accredited by the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ), the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) and other&nbsp, regulatory authorities.

” This investment represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Inventia. In a combined statement released just before Janak Shah’s moving, Maya Shah and the late Janak Shah, both as business owners and long-standing administrators, we are thrilled to discover Platinum Equity investing in our main OSD business.

They added:” This relationship will funnel Inventia’s advantages and Platinum’s operational knowledge to force us to new levels. We are firmly committed to our mission, and we are assured that this partnership will encourage more development and innovation. Our vision for Inventia has always been to deliver high-quality, available medical items, and with Platinum Equity, we believe this vision will only increase stronger”.

The Singapore-based Asia funding team at Platinum Equity is in charge of the acquisition.

In a statement, Platinum Equity managing director Amit Sobti stated,” We believe Inventia is a solid platform for development in a fragmented industry, and our goal is to create a larger, more developed B2B firm focused on the beautiful but underprivileged emerging industry.” &nbsp,

By utilizing our operational and financial resources to further institutionalize the company and prepare it for success on a substantially larger scale, Sobti continued,” We are excited to develop upon the strong base set by the Shah home.” Inventia’s existing product pipeline you generate strong healthy growth over the near future, which we will look to enhance through acquisitions, with an emphasis on broadening the company’s product portfolio and capabilities”.

Kotzubei stated that Platinum Equity will continue to look for program offers in India that are appropriate for the company’s investment strategy in addition to looking for Inventia add-ons.

There are more possibilities available now that fit our approach, he explained, and the buyout market in India is continuing to develop. ” There are more mature businesses that require more operating support, such as founder- or family-owned businesses that are looking for a partner with the ability to provide both operating expertise and capital. We have a lot of knowledge in those conditions”.

Silver Equity acted as Barclays ‘ special financial advisor during the transaction. Along with Trilegal as India’s constitutional representative for Platinum Equity, Lacham Watkins served as Trilegal’s global legal counsel. Kirkland &amp, Ellis provided financing guidance to Platinum Equity on the exchange.

Rothschild &amp, Co and Stifel Nicolaus India ( formerly Torreya Partners ) served as financial advisers to the sellers. Quillon Partners provided constitutional lawyers to the buyers during the transaction.

FinanceAsia has reached out for more details.

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Thailand buying Gripens to keep Myanmar in check – Asia Times

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In light of the rising US-China control conflict in Southeast Asia and the spillover from the Myanmar civil war, Thailand plans to improve its surroundings defense and strengthen its military modernization efforts.

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF ) announced this month that its advanced Saab Gripen E/F fighter jets are a significant improvement over its current fleet of Gripen C/D models.

After a 10-month review, the RTAF then plans to get 12–14 fresh soldiers, with sales expected to start in 2028, pending the new Paetongtarn Shinawatra-led administration’s government approval.

In comparison to competitors like the US-made F-35 and F-16, the Gripen E/F has never won numerous international warrior events, according to the War Zone statement. Additionally, the RTAF maintains a larger ship of aging US-made F-16s and F-5 Tiger II planes in addition to 11 upgraded Gripen Cs and Ds.

According to The War Zone report, the Gripen E/Fs are anticipated to replace the F-16s ‘ older models at some point in the future with plans to phase out the F-5s as well.

Thailand’s purchase of more recent Gripen E/F jets is in line with its development plans and safety concerns, especially potential repercussions from the ongoing civil war in Myanmar and rising US-China competition for influence in neighboring nations.

According to Thailand’s 2020-2037 Air Force Strategy, the village’s justification for acquiring Gripen E/F fighter jets is to address evolving flying threats and increase its air security capabilities.

It points to the rise in unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAVs ), as well as potential regional conflicts, such as those that are rife in Myanmar, as significant factors that necessitate the purchase of advanced fighter jets like the Gripen.

These jets are intended to do roles such as air dominance, ground attack and reconnaissance, thus providing a dynamic response to normal and symmetric threats, according to the strategy.

But, it points out that the RTAF does face significant challenges with this consolidation, including the high costs associated with buying, operating and maintaining the advanced planes.

Thailand is facing the threat of more air incursions into its place by Myanmar’s more ready combat aviation because Myanmar’s coup has used its airpower to destroy opposition forces and continues to upgrade its air force with assistance from China and Russia.

Anthony Davis mentions in a January 2023 article for Asia Times that the Myanmar Air Force’s ( MAF ) new capabilities, including new Sukhoi SU-30 jets from Russia and Chinese FTC-2000Gs, are central to the junta’s strategy.

He notes that the MAF has ramped up regular missions since mid-2022, targeting criticism forces in Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Shan and Chin state. According to Davis, the Myanmar junta wants to oust Bamar-led People’s Defense Forces ( PDFs ) and divide ethnic resistance organizations ( EROs ) from the federal-democratic armed opposition.

Davis points out that the MAF’s various ships, including older Russian Mig-29s and Chinese F-7s, has been bolstered by new expansions, enhancing its functional flexibility. He adds that the MAF’s increased pilot experience and tactical flexibility, supported by numerous airbases, have improved targeting accuracy.

Not because of its lack of interception capabilities, but because of political considerations, Thailand has shown a restrained response to previous incursions by Myanmar into its airspace.

Kridsana Chotisut and other authors make reference to the Thai government’s muted response to a June 2022 incident in which a Myanmar MiG-29 fighter jet breached Thai airspace in a December 2022 article in the peer-reviewed Asian Journal of Comparative Politics.

Chotisut and others claim that while the RTAF issued a strong initial press release warning against additional violations, former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha downplayed the incident, labeling it a minor issue and accepting Myanmar’s explanation of an unintentional error.

According to Chotisut and others, Thailand’s response is thought to have been influenced by its political and economic ties to Myanmar’s military and ethnic armed groups. They point out that this may have contributed to the Thai government’s deliberate choice to maintain stability in the border region and defend more important national interests.

Thailand’s purchase of Gripen E/F jets and its balanced defense diplomacy with the US and China serve as examples of its wider effort to modernize its military while maintaining its sovereignty in an increasingly competitive Indo-Pacific, aside from the potential aerial spillover from Myanmar’s civil war.

Paul Chambers claims in a 2024 article for the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs ( JIPA ) that Thailand’s policy on military purchases and participation in international exercises reflects a nuanced defense diplomacy strategy that balances relations with the US and China.

Chambers says that historically Thailand has acquired military equipment, including fighter jets, from various suppliers, primarily the US.

However, Alyssa Chen notes in a South China Morning Post (SCMP ) article this month that US-Thai ties were strained following the latter’s 2014 coup, which overthrew a democratically elected government. Chen claims that China intervened to fill the void as the US suspended joint military exercises and symbolically withheld$ 3.5 million in military aid.

She points out that Stockholm International Peace Research Institute ( SIPRI ) data shows that Thailand’s purchases from China have increased since 2014, with the latter selling big-ticket items such as submarines, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles and armored fighting vehicles.

Chen mentions that China and Thailand have expanded the scope of their military exercises, but that they are less complex than those Thailand conducts with the US.

In line with that, David Axe says in an October 2021 article for The National Interest ( TNI ) that during Exercise Falcon Strike 2015 between China and Thailand, Thai pilots shot down 42 J-11s while the Chinese pilots with their J-11s downed 34 Gripens.

Axe notes that while the Chinese J-11s had the advantage in within-visual-range ( WVR ) dogfights, the Gripens had the advantage in beyond-visual-range ( BVR ) combat, with 88 % of Thai kills happening at 30 kilometers compared to just 14 % of Chinese kills. He adds that the J-11s did not score any kills at that distance, while the Gripens did ten at 49 kilometers.

Thailand used its Gripens instead of its F-16s because the US has forbid Thailand from using its F-16 and F-5 fighters in military exercises with China.

According to Chambers, Thailand’s defense diplomacy has changed from a “bending with the wind” tactic to a more calculated hedging strategy designed to maintain the balance between the US and China, particularly the US.

He claims that Thailand’s involvement in joint military exercises like Cobra Gold with the US and China’s Blue-Strike and Falcon Strike exercises demonstrate this dual engagement.

As Southeast Asia is increasingly entangled in the US-China conflict, Chambers claims that Thailand’s strategy of balancing relations with major powers strengthens its military might and regional influence while avoiding relying on any one ally to defend its sovereignty.

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