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  • OPINION

    Baht Better Spent

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 28/08/2020

    » On Monday, the Royal Thai Navy defended its controversial purchase of two Chinese submarines at a humungous price tag of B22.5 billion (that's 11-digits, if you're wondering). The purchase incited online backlash for its inopportune timing, given the severe impact of Covid-19 on the economy. Not to mention, speculation of good ole corruption synonymous with a procurement project.

  • OPINION

    French learn about their Aussie 'mates'

    News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 26/09/2021

    » It is encouraging to learn that it is not just Thailand that gets into deep water involving contracts over submarines. France is most upset with Australia for pulling the plug on a nuclear submarine deal, resulting in various shades of not-so-diplomatic name-calling. Standing out was the rather poignant observation from the recalled French ambassador to Australia that "what makes me sad is that we thought we were mates but we were stabbed in the back".

  • OPINION

    Credibility lost over sub

    News, Editorial, Published on 26/04/2017

    » 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.

  • OPINION

    Sink the sub proposal

    News, Editorial, Published on 05/07/2016

    » The Royal Thai Navy is once again pressing to buy three submarines from China. The defence minister, not at all surprisingly, supports this new military upgrade. It would be a terrible mistake and misuse of 36 billion baht, or possibly more, of the public's money. Realistically, the only thing preventing an almost instant purchase is Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. He has put off this scheme before, and should do so again, but more forcefully.

  • OPINION

    Navy's 'toys' indefensible

    Oped, Editorial, Published on 20/02/2017

    » Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, the minister for defence, has confirmed the Royal Thai Navy will spend 13.5 billion baht for one Chinese-made submarine, delivery guaranteed in 2017. Plans to spend 27 billion baht for two additional subs have been approved in principle. It is a disappointing rejection of both public and expert opinion that opposes the long drawn-out plan to equip the navy with submarines on every conceivable ground imaginable.

  • OPINION

    Some 2023 tales you may have missed

    Roger Crutchley, Published on 31/12/2023

    » It is customary at this time of the year for PostScript to look back at some of the major happenings of the last 12 months. But we will have a change this year because the news has been far too depressing. So instead we will examine some of the not-so-major happenings of 2023 that you might have missed amongst all the gloom and doom. They may not be particularly significant but are a lot more fun than the grim stuff we read every day.

  • OPINION

    Budget Rethink?

    Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 21/04/2017

    » Our dear cabinet recently approved a budget to buy 10 made-in-China tanks worth two billion baht while key members also seem keen on a plan proposed by the Royal Thai Navy to buy three submarines worth 36 billion baht. While I'm sure these dear sirs exercised their sound rationale before agreeing to such big purchases for the sake of Thailand's security, IMHO, with utmost respect, I would like to point out that there are other more beneficial ways the money could be used too.

  • OPINION

    Thai army needs to march to a new tune

    Oped, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 13/05/2023

    » I always get feelings of fear when I hear the army's famous propaganda song, Nak Paendin, which in Thai means "burden of the country". As a child born during the 1970s, this song reminds me of military putsches.

  • OPINION

    Halloween tragedy tests Seoul's unpopular leader

    News, Published on 03/11/2022

    » A nightmarish disaster whose victims were predominantly the young. A right-of-centre leader whose popularity is sliding. A political flashpoint potentially in the making once the nation absorbs the tragedy.

  • OPINION

    There have probably been better years

    News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 26/12/2021

    » Well we've just about scraped through the Year of the Ox. It was a strange time, rather like living in a vacuum, not entirely sure what would happen next. Nothing could have been worse than 2020, but 2021 wasn't far off. At the start of the year there was hope that the cloud of Covid could be shaken off and we would all become happy folks in the Land of Smiles again, but it didn't quite work out that way -- it's the hope that kills you.

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