I have been gone there almost 5 times with my boyfriend.My friend took me there for joining the party but I don,t know that what will happen be there at night.At night my boy friend told me that you took your dress and came to me in swimming pull.As me dive in the water my boyfriend caught me very tight and kiss me lol.If you want to know about me more some thing so give your comments let me know about to your thinking.Thanks for like it.

Phuket Thailand Beach Hotel
Thailand Hotel Inter side of the room so beautiful
Thailand Hotel Scene Photo
Thailand Hotel Swim pull
Thailand Hotel Out side Picture

It,s very danger situation for every country that the tsunami came there and destroyed the full country.Tsunami is the name of the water storm.At that time every one want to running for save his life.My some friend there in Thailand as the tsunami came there and destroyed the country.Fortunately my all friends save of the tsunami because that time they were arrived the airport.If you like my blog post then give your comments on my blog post and let me know about your experience.Thanks for like it.

Thailand Tsunami Goods
Thailand Tsunami Scene
Thailand Tsunami Crash Cars
Thailand Tsunami Scene
Thailand Tsunami Photo
Thailand Tsunami Scene

May you see the new and latest photos about the Thailand Beach in your own computer net.But today I uploaded some new photos of Thailand Beach that I take its my own camera and my own hand.You could see some new latest pictures in my blog and some new latest videos.If you like it so give your comments and let me know about to your experience.Thanks for like it.

Thailand Beach awesome and beautiful Photo
Thailand Nice and beautiful picture
Thailand Beach and sea photo
Thailand New and perfect Photo
Thailand Awesome Scene Photo

If you are want to see like that pictures any where in the internet so you suddenly remember in your mind a heaven.About three years early I was going there for taking some picture because I am a student of Geographic.I need some more photos about that.My college group and me were going there for taking some new photos for increase our knowledge.Phuket Thailand is my best and new place for me always.I am so happy and active because that scene every time came face on me.If you like it so give your comments and let me know what are you gonna to do.Thanks for like it.

Phuket Thailand Sea Scene
Phuket Thailand Boat Picture
Phuket Thailand Good Scene
Phuket Thailand Good and Nice Scene
Phuket Thailand Haven Scene
Phuket Thailand Sea Pose looking awesome and beautiful

28 Januari 2012

Isuzu 2,5 ton tactical vehicle (photo : Thales)

Thailand army began using a new tactical vehicle Isuzu FTS H2E33 (4X4). These trucks have a size of 2.5 tons and easy in maintenance and repair. The vehicle can be ridden comfortably on a flat terrain and contoured.

Specification :

Dimension (L x W x H ) 7,220 x2, 490 x3, 145 mm.
The load weight is 12,200 kg.
Plane load of 5,000 kilograms.
2,500 kg load on the terrain
Towing weight of 3,000 kg of baggage
Engines : diesel engines Isuzu 6 cylinder, 7790 cc capacity.
Max torque 706 Nm (72 Kk.-m.) at 1450 rpm / min.
HP 240 and HP the (177 kW) / rpm min.
Fuel tank capacity 200 liters.
6 speed forward and one reverse speed.
The hydraulic brake system
Turning radius of 9 meters.
Operating within 800 km.
Maximum speed of 97 km / hour.
The ability to climb high slopes 60 percent

(RTA)

26 Januari 2012

C4I SwitchplusIP (image : C4I)

C4i recently received a further order to add to its existing nationwide Communications System for the Royal Thai Air Force. C4i will deliver another installation of its world leading, SwitchplusIP® end-to-end IP communication system for this project with delivery expected Q1 of this year.

C4i delivered the existing Air Defence System in 2008 which provides the Thai Air Force with a complete nationwide end-to-end IP solution. The system consists of over twenty operational sites scattered across the country, linked together via an advanced IP network to provide a true “system of systems” solution. This allows every site to work together appearing like a single, very large system, providing total flexibility for resource allocation across the country while still retaining complete standalone autonomy should the network be removed.

“The SwitchplusIP® system delivered to the Thai Air Force is the largest end-to-end IP based communications system we are aware of in use by any Air Force in the world today” said Peter Harrison C4i’s Managing Director. “It provides the operators with transparent access to communication assets located all across the country as if they were all in the same room. This cutting edge technology delivers the often talked about goal of “any asset, any operator, anywhere” currently being sort after by many air forces across the globe” Harrison said.

This system is further proof of SwitchplusIP® ability to be easily expanded after initial deployment. The Air Force is able to incrementally grow the system by adding sites, operators or assets when required; in this case a mobile air traffic control system that can be networked allowing Command Centre operators to utilize and communicate with these remote assets and operators through the IP network.

C4i has formidable experience delivering specialist Air Defence systems for use in single and multi-domain security environments all over the world. C4i’s ground breaking RED/Black IP system is United States Department of Defence recognized and Tempest accredited, currently in use with the USAF, RAAF and NATO Air Forces. C4i’s engineering and product team are experts in this niche, mission critical, high-security market and has years of experience integrating Type 1 cryptographic devices into Air Defence communications applications.

C4i has been delivering its SwitchplusIP® VoIP technology to niche markets such as Air Defence, Public Safety and Maritime Ports for over six years, making it a market leader of this technology in its niche markets.

(C4I)

25 Januari 2012

Type 206A is a diesel electric submarine with 48.6m in length and displacement 498 ton (photo : denizaltici)

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat yesterday vowed to re-examine the navy's plan to buy submarines.

On his first day in office at the Defence Ministry, ACM Sukumpol said he would continue to push for the implementation of incomplete plans and projects, including the submarine purchase.

"We will look at it. The navy must explain to the public why the submarine purchase is an appropriate project," ACM Sukumpol said. The minister also told navy chief Adm Surasak Roonroengrom to clarify details of the submarine project to the cabinet and the public.

The navy had planned to buy six second-hand submarines from Germany.

However, as the cabinet has not yet approved the plan, Germany has since sold two of the submarines to Colombia. The navy now hopes to buy the remaining four subs for 5.5 billion baht.

"If the navy had submarines, the balance of military power in the region would change," a navy source said.

He warned Cambodia may well obtain submarines before Thailand as it can rely on its alliances with "superpowers".

(Bangkok Post)

06 Januari 2012

T-84 Oplot Main Battle Tanks (photo : Militaryphotos)

Ukrainian State Company for Export and Import of Military and Special Products and Services (Ukrspetseksport), which is a part of the Ukroboronprom state concern, intends to supply 49 T-84 Oplot tanks to Thailand.

He said a statement made by Volodymyr Kuratchenko, deputy director general of Ukroboronprom, in Kharkiv that enterprise will supply close to 100 tanks to Thailand was a mistake.

Volodymyr Kuratchenko told the press in Kharkiv that the execution of the contract will begin in 2012 and will be completed in 2014.

He said the execution of the contract will allow the Kharkiv Malyshev Plant to boost production volume 10 times in 2012 over 2011.

He did not specify a sum of the contract.

Mykola Belov, acting director general of the Kharkiv Malyshev Plant, told Ukrainian News the Cabinet of Ministers allocated UAH 40.2 million in December to the plant for preparing the execution of this and other contracts concerning production of tanks and armored personnel carriers.

Chief Designer Volodymyr Vakulenko told the press some 40 changes will be introduced in the design on demands from the customer, including installation of air conditioners.

As Ukrainian News reported, Ukrspetseksport on September 1 signed a contract with the Defense Ministry of Thailand to deliver 49 Oplot tanks for a sum exceeding USD 200 million.

On August 5, Ukrspetseksport reached agreement with Thailand for manufacture of 121 pieces of

BTR-3E1 armored personnel carriers and support vehicles based on them worth a total of more than USD 140 million.

Ukrspetseksport is part of the Ukroboronprom state-run concern, which also comprising enterprises producing military hardware, including tank-building enterprises.

(Army Recognition)

10 Desember 2011

RTAF JAS-39C Gripen (photo : Scramble)

The air force is defending its request to the government for 10 billion baht for post-flood rehabilitation work.

Air force chief Itthaporn Subhawong said the flood caused vast damage to expensive facilities and high-technology communication systems and armaments.

Cutting the budget would compromise the air force's ability to do its job.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has questioned why the air force needs so much and asked for more detail, Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said.

The prime minister, who visited the Defence Ministry yesterday, said the air force should prioritise spending and break it down into more detailed figures.

ACM Itthaporn said the air force asked for 10,563 million baht. He said the damage was assessed by a government-appointed committee.

"The budget we proposed truly reflects the amount of damage the air force incurred," he said.

Some equipment that was not totally ruined would be fixed, not replaced.

"We understand flood recovery in the country will be expensive. But the air force is one of the country's main defence systems.

"If rehabilitation is insufficient, we won't be able to function with the same level of capability as before," he said. The faster the money is disbursed, the sooner the force will get back on its feet.

The source said the air force may still consider trimming the funding request by up to 1.3 billion baht. It would carry out as much repair work as possible rather than acquiring new equipment.

Ms Yingluck plans to visit the air force again on Wednesday, when she will also visit the army. She will drop in on the navy the next day. "We must work together and treat each other with honour," she said. Gen Yutthasak said Ms Yingluck plans to visit the Defence Ministry regularly and have lunch with the armed forces leaders every two months as part of a policy of forging closer ties with the military.

(Bangkok Post)

09 Desember 2011

Seafox Minehunting Drone (photo : Atlas elektronik)

Thailand Becomes the Tenth Seafox Customer

BREMEN, Germany --- Atlas Elektronik has won a new customer for SeaFox: With the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), yet another navy has decided to upgrade its minehunting capabilities with the Atlas mine neutralization drone. A respective agreement was signed recently.

Atlas will supply three mobile SeaFox systems with the corresponding number of SeaFox I units for inspection and training purposes and an initially small number of SeaFox C combat units for mine disposal. Further SeaFox C units are to follow over the next few years. The mobile SeaFox system is a completely autonomous system that allows the deployment of SeaFox vehicles with no dependence on shipboard facilities or equipment. This permits deployment of the SeaFox vehicles from various types of ships at any time, without the need to convert the vessels in any way.

The Royal Thai Navy currently operates four mine countermeasures vessels, all of which are equipped with mine warfare systems made by Atlas. The vessels to be modernized belong to two different ship classes. As the first step, the boats will be fitted with SeaFox units in the form of a mobile SeaFox system.

RTN’s decision in favour of SeaFox improves the position of Atlas for the upcoming modernization of the mine warfare systems on the four minehunters.

In total, ten navies have now decided to operate the SeaFox, making it the most successful mine disposal system in the world.

Atlas Elektronik Seafox system (photo : Naval Technology)

This fibre-optic guided, one-shot mine disposal vehicle SeaFox C is used for semi-autonomous disposal of naval mines and other ordnance found at sea. It is able to automatically relocate previously acquired positions of underwater objects within minutes with the integrated homing sonar. After relocating, these objects can be identified using the onboard CCTV camera and destroyed by the use of a built-in, large caliber shaped charge.

SeaFox I is a reusable vehicle for identification and training in the application field of mine hunting. In this vehicle the SeaFox C warhead is replaced by ballast weight. It is deployable from a wide range of carrier platforms, including dedicated MCM vessels, surface combatants, craft of opportunity, rubber boats and helicopters.

The Atlas Elektronik Group stands for maritime and naval solutions above and below the ocean surface. The company holds a leading position in all fields of maritime high technology, from command & control systems including radio & communication systems for submarines, surface combatants and mine warfare systems and ranging to heavyweight torpedoes, coastal surveillance systems and in-service support. Atlas has established a worldwide customer portfolio. The electronics specialist is a joint company of ThyssenKrupp and EADS and has a workforce of 1900 highly skilled employees.

(Atlas Elektronk/Defense Unmanned)

02 Desember 2011

The newly-built HTMSKrabi in dry dock at the Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard in Chon Buri province. The vessel is to be launched today to commemorate His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday on Monday. (photo : Bangkok Post)

SATTAHIP : Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will today preside over the launching ceremony of the HTMS Krabi, a new patrol vessel built by the Thai navy.

HTMS Krabi was built by the navy at a cost of 1.7 billion baht. It is intended to commemorate His Majesty the King's 84th birthday on Monday.

However, the ship will not be ready to be commissioned until late next year.

The ship is also part of the navy's strategic personnel development, said Vice Adm Manit Soonnadam, chief of the Royal Thai Naval Dockyard.

HTMS Krabi is a vessel with an almost 2 tonne displacement.

It is the fist time the navy has built a ship this size.

It has been constructed according to the suggestion of His Majesty the King, who named the ship. It is expected to be operational for 40 years.

HTMS Krabi is 90.5m long and 13.5m wide.

The height of the gunwale is 7.7m.

The displacement tonnage is 1.97 tonnes and the vessel has a maximum speed of 23 knots.

The space of its deck is enough to park a Super Lynx helicopter. The ship has 89 crewmen.

VAdm Manit said HTMS Krabi will be assigned to the task of carrying out marine intelligence missions, protecting fishing boats and national marine resources, assisting people facing difficulties in the sea, as well as enforcing marine laws.

The 1.7 billion budget for the contruction of HTMS Krabi comes from a tied-over budget between 2008 and 2011, he said.

(Bangkok Post)

14 November 2011

G-Star tactical UAV (photo : suasnews)

Innocon and its Thai partner, G-Force Composites, are offering a new training solution for the G-Star tactical unmanned air system (UAS) now being evaluated by the Royal Thai Air Force.

Based on Innocon's MiniFalcon-2 design, the G-Star has a maximum take-off weight of 220kg (485lb). Thailand has purchased one system and is evaluating it against other UAS, including the Aerostar produced by Israel's Aeronautics Defense Systems.

Using simulation capabilities supplied by Simlat, the training system can be integrated with an operational UAS console to provide a realistic training setting for G-Star operators. Its purpose is to train them in mission aspects such as flight patterns, payload operation and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.

"Customers can now prepare for emergencies and diverse mission scenarios in addition to basic operation training," said Innocon chief executive Michael Armon. "This reduces certification costs, increases safety and yields high customer satisfaction."

G-Force has so far specialised in manufacturing composite structures and supplied some for UAS developed by Innocon. The G-Star is the first result of a cooperation agreement signed by the companies earlier this year.

(FlightGlobal)

See Also :

Thailand evaluates G-Star unmanned air system
14 November 2011

Thailand's air force is evaluating the G-Star unmanned air system (UAS) which is based on Israeli manufacturer Innocon's MiniFalcon-2.

The G-Star has a twin boom fuselage and boasts a maximum take-off weight of 220kg, compared with the MiniFalcon-2's MTOW of 200kg.

G-Star is the outcome of a co-operation between Innocon and Thai company G-Force Composites. The latter also acts as Innocon's regional representative.

The Royal Thai Air Force has purchased one G-Star system for evaluation purposes and is pitting it against other UAS, including Aeronautics' Aerostar.

(FlightGlobal)

12 November 2011

The reduced budget will affect plans to maintain and buy military equipment, and the military may not be able to operate to its full capacity. (photo : kwek)

House in uproar over relief supplies

Alleged foul play in the procurement of flood relief bags continued to take centre stage in the budget debate that concluded in parliament yesterday.

Democrat Party MP for Samut Songkhram Rangsima Rodrasamee produced a bag of necessities that the government's Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc) had commissioned.

She claimed the Froc bought a five-kilogramme bag of rice of a normal grade for 195 baht when the market price was 85 baht.

Miss Rangsima said medicines in a packet from the Health Department should be free but the Froc claimed to have bought them.

Canned fish, canned vegetables and instant noodles should have been cheaper than their Froc-recorded prices if they were procured wholesale, she said.

She also alleged a woman identified only as Kratae, who was a secretary to a government MP, had tampered with the bills of rice procured for flood victims by raising the prices.

She said an exorbitant price was marked for 23,500 bags of rice delivered at Nonthaburi's Suankularb Wittayalai School, which is an emergency shelter.

Democrat list MP Boonyod Sukthinthai said mobile toilets were also overpriced.

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who is also the Froc's director, said relief bags were closely controlled and monitored. A report unveiled by a Froc inquiry panel led by Yanyong Puangrat, permanent secretary for commerce, said no officials had been found to be involved in the allegations of overpriced relief bags.

The Prime Minister's Office and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, not the Froc, were responsible for buying relief bags priced at 300 baht, 500 baht and 800 baht, he said.

Pol Gen Pracha said distribution was considered based on the bag's content, cost and destination.
Places flooded for longer periods were given 800-baht bags, while recently flooded places were given smaller 300 baht bags.

"Before approval, all prices had been checked by me personally," he said.

Meanwhile, a 10% cut in the Defence Ministry's budget could compromise the military's efficiency, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said.

"We have no idea what to do. This is necessary. The nation is facing a disaster," Gen Prayuth said.
The money from the cut will be used for flood assistance.

For the 2012 fiscal year, the Defence Ministry has asked for 81.7 billion baht for the army, 32.9 billion baht for the navy, 32.1 billion baht for the air force, 13.2 billion baht for the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters and 5.9 billion baht for the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence.

However, the requested budget for each agency is subject to the 10% deduction.

The reduced budget will affect plans to maintain and buy military equipment, Gen Prayuth said. The military may not be able to operate to its full capacity.

Military operations in the deep South face a budget cut of about 3 billion baht.

(Bangkok Post)

09 November 2011

Two aircraft from the approved six MH-60S Knight Hawk entered to operational (all photos : Sukasom Hiranphan/TAF)

Navy has signed procurement of two aircraft from the approved six aircraft an MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter in 2006 and now the helicopters were handed over to the Thai Navy.

The noticeable difference between the SH-60B Sea Hawk and is the Royal Thai Navy's MH-60S Knight Hawk, it is the position of the wheel base pairs, after the Sea Hawk it stay in the body, but in Knight Hawk will be back in a position similar to the UH-60 Black Hawk.

For the MH-60S Knight Hawk of the Royal Thai Navy has installed modern equipment. The mission control system of the Lockheed Martin also has a flashlight and rescue hoists. As well as being equipped with terrain following radar and infrared cameras, which allows Knight Hawk as a common transport missions. tactical transport missions, special operations including search and rescue missions. The Knight Hawk helicopter the most modern and best equipped to rescue in Thailand today.

The Royal Thai Navy has a plan to provide additional funding received.

(TAF)

04 November 2011

The KRONOS is a 3D, medium-range, multi-mode, C-band radar with a full solid state active phased array antenna. Max Detection Range 180 km (97 nm), Max Detection Range Against Low Altitude Threat 25 km (13 nm) (photos & image : Selex)

SELEX Sistemi Integrati, a Finmeccanica company, has been awarded contracts to supply a KRONOS radar system both to the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Air Force.

The system which will be supplied to the Royal Thai Navy will equip the Royal Navy Air and Coastal Defence Command and be settled in an area in the South of Bangkok. It will be integrated within the air surveillance network of the Royal Thai Navy.

The system which will be supplied to the Royal Thai Air force will be installed in the Eastern region of Thailand and connected with the Royal Thai Air defence system.

KRONOS is a multifunctional radar system able to expand the missile and air defence also against threats today retained insidious for the national security, such as cruise missiles and low altitude UAVs both when these are employed as stand-alone threats for terroristic attacks in peaceful times and when in use in a multiple deployment, which is typical of attacks brought by military enemies.

The system, thanks to its radar provided with an AESA (Active Electronic Scanned Array) antenna, is able to scan the surrounding space to search for targets, so working as a search radar. Once one or more air threats are identified, it can track them with extreme precision and continuity such as a fire control system. These capabilities are deployed simultaneously and in a very fast an automatic manner.

The AESA technology developed by SELEX Sistemi Integrati has made it possible to completely integrate and transport- also in one single vehicle, if required- the radar system, the last generation phased array IFF, a command and control cell equipped with operational posts and all the necessary equipments for an autonomous running. These peculiarities make the system able to defend critical infrastructures and suitable for land tactical applications which require a high level of mobility.

The over 23 KRONOS systems sold by SELEX Sistemi Integrati, both in land and naval version for surveillance and short and medium range air defence, are nowadays in use in several national and international Armed Forces. The advanced sensor functionalities and the command and control software which equip KRONOS systems allow them to effectively perform several operational roles, a capability which is unique into the market place and which is revealing as increasingly successful.

SELEX Sistemi Integrati has been in Thailand since the first Seventies with its air traffic control systems. In fact the whole approach and en route air traffic control infrastructure has been provided by the Finmeccanica company which has also equipped most of the Thai airports.

(Selex Sistemi Integriti)

06 Oktober 2011

Sikorsky Blackhawk UH-60M model (S-70A) helicopter (photo : Airliners)

The cabinet has approved the Defence Ministry's proposal to buy two new Black Hawk helicopters at a cost of 2.841 billion baht, using a previously tied-over budget for 2011-2013, deputy government spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said on Tuesday.

The purchase will be funded from the previously tied budget over three years.
Of the total cost, 570 million baht has already been allocated from the 2011 budget, 789 million baht will be drawn from the 2012 budget and 1.482 billion baht from the 2013 budget.

Orignially, the Defence Ministry had sought funding to buy three UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, but the UH-60L model had gone out of production. The ministry then settled on the UH-60M model, which is more expensive.

The original budget set aside for the procurement of the three UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters was enough to buy only two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, Mr Anusorn said.

(Bangkok Post)

04 Oktober 2011

The new navy chief said it is the navy's desire to have submarines to protect the country's marine resources and to ensure a strategic balance in the region.(photo : pixlie)

New navy chief Surasak Runroengrom still hopes the plan to buy used submarines from Germany will be considered by the cabinet today despite opposition from the Defence Ministry.

The expectation is based on his retired predecessor Kamthorn Phumhiran's claim that he met a phu yai (influential person) in the government who agrees in principle to the deal with Germany.

"I will push ahead with the plan," Adm Surasak said yesterday, adding that the navy has asked the German defence ministry to extend the deal settlement period again after the Sept 30 deadline.

Earlier this year, during the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration, the navy asked Germany to extend the sale period after the 7.5-billion-baht plan to buy six used German U206A submarines did not receive approval from the Defence Council.

The plan faced a setback again with the Yingluck Shinawatra government when Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa rejected the plan following a study by a special panel appointed to consider its merits.

Gen Yutthasak wants the navy to conduct a review on the cost-effectiveness of the plan and stressed the need for a transparent procurement.

Adm Surasak said the navy had reduced the purchase cost to 6.9 billion baht from 7.5 billion. He insisted the submarines are needed to make Thailand "strategically equal" to neighbouring countries.

(Bangkok Post)

04 Oktober 2011

RTAF Gripen and Saab 340 AEW Erieye (photo : Saab)

Defence and security company Saab has received an order from the Royal Thai Air Force regarding extension of an Air Command and Control System. The order amounts to 104 MSEK.

Saab will extend the Royal Thai Air Force ACCS (Air Command and Control System), which was delivered by Saab in 2010. The system is a part of the air defence system consisting of the Gripen fighter and the airborne early warning system Saab 340 Erieye AEW.

The order concerns the Security and Defence Solutions business area.

“We are delivering an advanced air command and control system, which forms a vital part of the thai air defence system. The order is a yet another milestone in the cooperation betweenThailandand Saab, in a market that is very important for us,” says Gunilla Fransson, Head of Saab business area Security and Defence Solutions.

The contract will run between 2011 - 2013.

(Saab)

29 September 2011

Eurocopter AS 550 Fennec (photo : Militaryphotos)

Flustered PM baffles press with incorrect comment

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra apparently forgot which items were on the cabinet agenda yesterday, causing confusion when she confirmed the navy's submarine procurement project had received cabinet approval before retracting her statement hours later.

Emerging from the cabinet meeting at 2pm yesterday, Ms Yingluck appeared confused when asked about the navy's second-hand submarine procurement plan and the army's Black Hawk helicopter procurement plan.

"I don't remember. The cabinet considered 37 items today. The submarine procurement project has already been approved," she said.

Ms Yingluck later assigned the government spokesman team to address the blunder.

Deputy government spokesman Chalitrat Chandru-beksa braved the rain to correct Ms Yingluck's statement.

He told the media that the prime minister misunderstood a reporter's question about the submarines and helicopter projects. The cabinet yesterday approved the army's proposal to buy eight French-made helicopters, not the navy's submarine project, said Mr Chalitrat.

The army's Black Hawk helicopter procurement plan has yet to be considered by the Budget Bureau. The deputy spokesman said the navy's proposal was not on yesterday's cabinet agenda.

A source said government spokeswoman Thitima Chaisaeng immediately called a meeting with members of the spokesman team following Ms Yingluck's confusing remark.

The spokesman team tried to explain to reporters that the prime minister may have been referring to the Marine Department's plan to buy boats for use in the exercise of using their propellers to speed up the flow of water out of flooded areas, the source said.

However, the propeller boats were not on yesterday's meeting agenda.

Mr Chalitrat said the cabinet approved a tied-over-budget for the army's project to procure eight Eurocopter AS 550 helicopters at 1.59 billion baht.

Ms Yingluck had reportedly asked the army to review the 2.8-billion-baht Black Haw procurement plan. She wanted the army to study details and technical issues of the US helicopters.

(Bangkok Post)

20 September 2011

Type 206A submarines (photo : Ulrich Wrede)

Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa has rejected the navy's plan to pay 7.5 billion baht for six used submarines from Germany and questioned the cost-effectiveness and transparency.

He said yesterday a defence scrutiny committee he appointed had resolved to return the project to the navy for review. Gen Jongsak Panichkul, adviser to the defence minister, is chairing the committee, which also includes former navy chief Adm Prasert Boonsong.

"I want a review on the cost-effectiveness," Gen Yutthasak said. "The past government approved the establishment of a submarine fleet and the recruitment of personnel has been completed but transparent procurement has yet to be done."

He said he was not concerned about the Sept 30 deadline that Germany had set for the navy to confirm the purchase of its used U206A submarines. He said the German navy could be asked to extend the deadline.

"But if Germany refuses to extend the deadline, it will be up to the navy to propose submarines from any country for my consideration," the defence minister said. He is open to either new or used vessels.

A navy source said the defence scrutiny committee had recommended submarines from Russia, China and South Korea.

"The navy will let politicians make the choice," the source said. "It will just wait."

He said the German submarines were the best choice in terms of practicality for study, training and price.

(Bangkok Post)