Bangkok: A civilian identified only by the initials “B” has been implicated in a corruption case related to the procurement of submarines for the Thai Navy. The controversy centers around the choice of engines used in the submarines, with questions raised about why Chinese engines were selected instead of the originally promised German engines.

According to Thai News Agency, Rangsiman Rome, a party-list Member of Parliament and deputy leader of the Prachachon Party, who also chairs the House of Representatives’ Committee on State Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy, and Reform, highlighted the issues surrounding the submarine procurement process. He stressed the importance of strategic weapon purchases for national defense and expressed concerns that the Navy might not be fully satisfied with the current strategy due to the focus on submarines instead of frigates.

Mr. Rangsiman elaborated on the Navy’s need for frigates to maintain sovereignty, particularly in Thai waters. He questioned whether the procurement of submarines aligns with the strategic priorities. The Royal Thai Navy had initially requested two frigates but received approval for only one. Mr. Rangsiman emphasized that frigates are essential for national defense, suggesting that the focus on submarines might not be justified.

The procurement contract initially involved the purchase of a submarine with German engines from China. However, Mr. Rangsiman revealed that although Thailand had agreed to the terms and made payments, the procurement of German engines was not fulfilled. Instead, Thailand accepted submarines with Chinese engines, raising concerns about safety and quality. He criticized this compromise and pointed out the potential breach of contract by China.

Mr. Rangsiman expressed concerns that corruption might prevent Thailand from canceling the contract. He noted the involvement of a civilian, referred to as “B,” in the alleged corruption. According to him, the acceptance of Chinese submarines with Chinese engines might not be driven by strategic national security reasons but rather by corrupt practices. He urged that arms procurement in Thailand should be free from corruption to avoid weakening the military and support strategic arms procurement without any form of corruption.