Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has redirected the armed forces’ budget for the 2024 fiscal year towards humanitarian efforts, including supporting those in need and dealing with natural disasters. The Royal Thai Air Force will prioritize these efforts over purchasing new jet fighters, but will consider procurement plans in the 2025 fiscal year. #Thailand #HumanitarianEfforts #NaturalDisasters #RoyalThaiAirForce #BudgetReallocation #JetFighters #ForestFires #Flooding #HazeIssues
Redirecting Budget Towards Humanitarian Efforts
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has urged the armed forces to postpone their arms procurement plans for the 2024 fiscal year. Instead, the government wishes to allocate more funding to support those in need. According to sources, Defence Minister Sutin Klunsang and the PM’s secretary-general, Prommin Lertsuridej, have been asked to discuss the matter with armed forces leaders.
The prime minister intends to focus the budget on immediate efforts to help citizens, without changing already approved budgets.
Prioritizing Relief from Natural Disasters
Newly appointed Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) commander, ACM Phanphakdee Phatthanakul, confirmed the government’s request for the armed forces to prioritize dealing with natural disasters such as forest fires, flooding, and haze issues.
ACM Phanphakdee dismissed a report suggesting that the RTAF was planning to buy three Gripen jet fighters from Sweden for their Wing 7 fleet in Surat Thani, following the United States’ refusal to sell F-35A fighter jets. He stated that the RTAF would not seek to procure jet fighters in the 2024 fiscal year due to the country’s economic situation.
Future Procurement Plans
However, ACM Phanphakdee mentioned that the RTAF would consider purchasing new jet fighters in the 2025 fiscal year, with a working panel established for this purpose. The specific type of jet fighters to be procured remains uncertain. The RTAF aims to eventually replace their aging fleet of F-16 fighters, which will be decommissioned between 2028 and 2031.
The RTAF commander assured that the procurement plan presented in the 2025 fiscal year would prioritize the country’s best interests and national defense.
Retrofitting Utility Aircraft for Forest Fire Combat
ACM Phanphakdee also revealed plans to retrofit the RTAF’s BT-67 utility aircraft with a water tank to combat forest fires and drought during the dry season. He is prepared to discuss the RTAF’s budget spending with the House committee reviewing the 2024 budget bill.
The prime minister has further emphasized that any military equipment purchased from other countries must be accompanied by those countries buying Thai-made products as part of the deal.
Praise for RTAF’s Compliance
Akkaradet Wongpitakrote, a United Thai Nation (UTN) Party MP for Ratchaburi, praised ACM Phanphakdee for his willingness to comply with the government’s policy. He highlighted the government’s desire to allocate its budget to support citizens affected by economic hardships and daily life challenges.
As the budget for the 2024 fiscal year was prepared by the previous administration, the new government has had to manage it according to their policies. However, the new government will have the opportunity to prepare the 2025 fiscal year budget as they see fit.
Akkaradet suggested that the RTAF’s decision should serve as an example for the army and navy. He encouraged them to follow the RTAF’s example by reducing their spending or postponing procurement projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the Thai Prime Minister’s request to the armed forces for the 2024 fiscal year budget?
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has urged the armed forces to postpone their arms procurement plans for the 2024 fiscal year and redirect the budget towards humanitarian efforts, such as supporting those in need and dealing with natural disasters.
Q2: How does the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) plan to prioritize relief from natural disasters?
Newly appointed RTAF commander, ACM Phanphakdee Phatthanakul, confirmed the government’s request for the armed forces to prioritize dealing with natural disasters such as forest fires, flooding, and haze issues. The RTAF is also planning to retrofit their BT-67 utility aircraft with a water tank to combat forest fires and drought during the dry season.
Q3: Will the RTAF consider purchasing new jet fighters in the future?
Yes, ACM Phanphakdee mentioned that the RTAF would consider purchasing new jet fighters in the 2025 fiscal year, with a working panel established for this purpose. The specific type of jet fighters to be procured remains uncertain, but the aim is to eventually replace their aging fleet of F-16 fighters, which will be decommissioned between 2028 and 2031.
