Thai navy says subs needed to protect maritime interests

The Thai navy is making renewed efforts to defend its submarine procurement plan, which was put on hold earlier amid opposition, saying submarines are needed for the sake of safeguarding maritime interests and security.

Thailand will not use subs to wage war, but it is critical how other countries perceive it, Adm Narongpol Na Bangchang was quoted by Bangkok Post as saying on Friday.

Thailand wants other countries to recognize its potential in taking care of the sea, Narongpol said.

The navy's sub purchasing committee had previously proposed spending about 36 billion baht (1 billion U.S. dollars) buying three submarines, only to be put on hold by the government, who suggested the navy better explain its proposal to a skeptical public.

The navy released a white paper on Thursday, stressing the urgent need to purchase submarines, as the lack of them puts Thailand at a disadvantage in the region.

According to the white paper, submarines could protect Thailand 's marine assets, worth 24 trillion baht (681 billion U.S. dollars) which include natural resources, freight shipments, coastal industries and tourist destinations.

Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia all have submarines, while Thailand is lagging behind, the white paper said.

Thailand had four submarines from 1938 to 1951, more than six decades ago, according to the paper.

Even if new subs are purchased this year, it will take seven to 10 years before they are operational, it added.

Some critics have questioned the need for subs, saying Thailand is not involved in territorial conflicts at sea and the Gulf of Thailand has relatively shallow water levels.

In response, Narongpol said the fact that the gulf is only 50 meters deep would not impede submarine operations because planes cannot see below 20 meters. Endi