Poll: Most people oppose submarines purchase plan

Poll: Most people oppose submarines purchase plan

China's Yuan-class (Type 041) submarine. Photo courtesy USNI.
China's Yuan-class (Type 041) submarine. Photo courtesy USNI.

A clear majority of people are opposed to the navy's plan to buy three submarines at a cost of 36 billion baht, according to PeoplePoll (Thailand).

The pollsters used the PeoplePoll app for smartphones to sound out public opinion on the matter from 12.30pm on July 6 to 5.30pm on Aug 3.  The survey attracted 2,357 responses.

Asked whether they thought Thailand should have submarines, 66.8% (1,586) said "no"; 22.7% (539) said "yes"; 10% (237) were uncertain or had insufficient information; and, 0.5% (13) had no answer.

To the question did they agree with the navy's 36-billion-baht purchase of three submarines, a huge majority of 90.4% (2,148) said "no"; only 5.1% (121) said "yes"; 4.3% (101) were uncertain or had insufficient information; and, 0.2% (5) had no answer.

PeoplePoll is an organisation which surveys public opinions on important issues in cooperation with the Faculty of Law, Chiang Mai University; College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Thammawat University; Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University; College of Social Innovation, Rangsit University; and, an independent team of pollsters. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has stressed the need for the navy to buy submarines to support its mission to safeguard marine and coastal resources, particularly in the Andaman sea. He has also pointed out that some neighbouring countries have them, and therefore Thailand should have them too.

He said the three submarines that would be bought from China at a cost of 36 billion baht were not expensive given that payments for the submarines would be spread over 11 years.t Chinese submarine technologies were new and up to international standards, Gen prawit said.

Critics of the project have said submarines are not needed, that Thailand would be better advised beefing up its air and surface anti-submarine capabilities, and the 36 billion baht could be far better spent.

According to a report published by Jane's Navy International in July 2015, the Royal Thai Navy hasselected China's Yuan-class (Type 041) platform to meet its requirement for three submarines.

The report said the submarine has been designated S26T (Thailand), referring to a modified export version of the Yuan-class. The RTN plans to take delivery of the first S26T within six to seven years.

 

 

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