Auditor-General to probe on Chinese submarine purchase deal

BANGKOK, May 4 (TNA) – The Office of Auditor-General is set to start an investigation on the controversial submarine procurement project with a request of related documents from the Royal Thai Navy. Auditor-General Pisit Leelawachiropas has visited the Royal Thai Navy headquarters today to seek the details of the projects to purchase a 13.5 billion baht Yuan-class S26T submarine from China. Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral Na Areenich assigned Admiral Leuchai Reuddit, the Navy chief of staff, who is the chairman of the submarine acquisition committee, to submit the requested document to the Auditor-General. However, the media are not allowed to observe and record video during the talks between the two sides today. On April 18, the Cabinet approved the decision to purchase one submarine initially, with a budget of Bt13.5 billion. The government plans to acquire two more over the next 11 years at the cost of Bt36 billion in total for three submarines. The decision prompted strong public criticism whether Thailand really need new submarines. (TNA)