The handling of the purchase of submarines from China was extremely distasteful. By refusing even to tell the country what it was doing, the cabinet has raised several questions and reduced its credibility. The arrogant and unnecessary argument that "the public doesn't have to know everything" about cabinet proceedings is insulting.
The purchase of the first of three Yuan-class submarines is the most expensive of its kind in Thai history. It cost $393 million, about 13.56 billion baht going by today's exchange rate. Of course, a strong defence is important. The public, however, knows this and the two more subs to come are not really vital to the country's national defence capabilities. If they were, it would have celebrated the official cabinet decision to purchase the vessels, instead of covering it up.
The cost of the second most-expensive weapons platform, HTMS Chakri Naruebet was $336 million -- 9.04 billion baht at the time. But the purchase of the carrier, paid off between the 1992 order and 1997 delivery, included many extras. When delivered it had first-rate Harrier jets and helicopters. It came equipped with four high-technology decoy craft. Compared with the single submarine, the aircraft carrier was a bargain.
For that cost, however, the Chakri Naruebet became an expensive tourist attraction, almost always tied up at the Sattahip docks. The Harriers and helicopters had no maintenance budget, so its not surprising they are long gone. But here is the worst part about that 9.04-billion-baht warship. As Southeast Asia's only aircraft carrier, it never contributed anything to the nation's security.
Now the military men who are currently in charge claim the country needs three submarines to guarantee national security. That is an extraordinary claim, requiring extraordinary proof, and so far none has emerged. Thailand has a long coastline for sure, but most of the Thai sea is shallow, where subs can never even hope to operate effectively. And the use of subs in warfare, by definition, requires an all-out attack on the country, the rather obvious question being: From where or by whom? There is no answer from the government or military.
Even one submarine has already become a political and economic liability. Just think how 13.5 billion baht and 37.5 billion baht could be better spent. But that is not all. By continuing this obsession to purchase submarines, Gen Prayut and allies have automatically begun the next round of divisive "payback politics".
As certain as the mango rains, the next government will launch investigations into the submarine purchase. If it is a Pheu Thai government, as most analysts currently predict, we can expect plenty of allegations. Politicians will certainly proclaim the "injustice" of punishing the Yingluck-era rice scheme and claim there must be "justice" to probe the submarine deal. Forget whether it is justified. It will be an ugly, divisive and new round of nasty political battles serving partisan politics instead of the people and the nation.
Gen Prayut and the National Council for Peace and Order had a chance to nip this harmful purchase in the bud. Instead, they have actively supported and pushed for it. It is reported that the navy's purchase proposal was submitted to the cabinet last week without prior schedule. The refusal to level with the country by hiding the cabinet decision only compounds the damage to the regime's credibility.
The regime obviously knows this is a purchase that is opposed by most people. By pressing on, the government and junta are entirely responsible for everything that follows, quite possibly for years to come.