Sink the 'Thaitanic'
Secretly approved by the cabinet, the military junta government is planning to purchase Chinese-made submarines, with a total cost of over 36 billion baht. A 700-million-baht down payment will soon be made, followed by a yearly 2.1-billion-baht instalment over the next decade.
The last time an elected government approved something in secret, it was toppled. Be that as it may, to say that the next elected government can scrap the submarine deal but must justify throwing away the 700-million-baht down payment is uncalled for. The onus of responsibility must reside with the current junta government which initiated the project, not the next elected government, which would already be weakened. Indeed, it is one of the political time bombs waiting to explode for the next administration -- deliberately.
In addition to the submarines procurement cost are the astronomical costs of personnel training, maintenance, repair, and docking facilities. I cannot directly benefit from a submarine, even for selfies. But I can fully enjoy the benefits of bullet trains from Bangkok-Phuket en route to Kuala Lumpur.
To say that Thailand has not had submarines in the last six decades, and without which Thailand will be vulnerable to foreign threats is contradictory. Since World War II and the brief Japanese occupation of Thailand, the country has never been invaded by foreign powers in spite of the absence of submarines. Militarily speaking, half a dozen (outdated) submarines will do nothing to protect Thailand's borders in the age of cyberattack, digital and space wars. Having a strong economy will.
The navy says it has adequate funding, independent of budget allocated for social welfare purposes. What if, hypothetically, it doesn't have it to begin with? Assuming so, the junta government is dangerously dabbling in geopolitics, inviting China to the "dinner table", getting a call from President Trump, without revealing much to the public.
There are other win-win strategies where both the military junta and the people gain, using available funds effectively. "Thaitanic" is not one of them.