Thailand delays US$724 million deal for two Chinese submarines after public backlash

Thailand will not be taking delivery of two more Chinese submarines this year (2020), due to a public backlash against the purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. The deal, worth US$724 million, has been pushed to 2021. Critics had doubted whether it makes sense to have submarines at all, given that Thailand does not have any external threats. The Thai Navy has repeatedly justified the purchase and the strategic need -- not only to defend Thailand’s interest on the high seas, but also simply because they want to keep up with their regional neighbours.