Navy to put off sub purchase

Navy to put off sub purchase

BANGKOK (AFP): Defense Minister Vichit Sookmark has told the Thai navy to postpone its plans to buy two diesel-powered submarines, saying the 15-billion-baht (US$600-million) price tag is too high.

Vichit said on official Radio Thailand that he had ordered the navy on Tuesday to delay the purchase because the cost would exceed the total amount allocated to the navy for weapons purchases.

The navy should re-evaluate its need for the submarines before again asking to buy them, the minister added.

But a senior navy officer told the Bangkok Post he was stunned by Vichit's order. The navy was working with the Budget Bureau over the cost figure, he said.