Thai Armed Force Photo Gallery- RTAF:RTN:RTA:RTP

[QUOTE=EStrike101;3536011]Cool, I hope we get Shin corp back.[/QUOTE]

If you want Shin corp back you need to buy back because the Singaporean fund buy them. You can not go and say 'hey! give it to me'. We can not do the Venezuela thing here.

[QUOTE=tankee1981;3536027]Thaksin have jumped bail to UK. Whats going to happen to his properties left behind in Thailand?[/QUOTE]

It still belong to him except the freezing money of 70 billion Baht that on trail in the court.

[B]And .... This is not a political thread. Please leave it aside. [/B]

[SIZE="4"][I][B]Approval for guns, vessel, Klong Dan[/B][/I][/SIZE]
PRADIT RUANGDIT


[B]UDON THANI : The cabinet yesterday approved a 6.2-billion-baht budget for the army and navy to buy weapons and other equipment under a plan to modernise the defence forces. [/B]

All deals will be made through government-to-government contracts, government spokesman Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote Sukchoterat said.

[B]The army received permission to purchase 531 Negev rifles made in Israel at a cost of 140 million baht and to sign a long-term financial commitment to buy 15,037 Tavor rifles, also from Israel, for another one billion baht. The Tavor deal is over three years, from now until 2010. [/B]

The army emphasised the firearms were needed to replace weapons which were in poor condition, the spokesman said.

[B]The cabinet also approved an agreement with Russia to purchase portable air-defence systems at a cost of 132 million baht and a long-term financial commitment for five years to buy a landing craft for five billion baht. [/B]

Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote said the cabinet also approved the completion of the Klong Dan water treatment project in Samut Prakan, which has been been on hold for over a decade because of corruption cases.

Since 92% of the construction had already been completed, the cabinet agreed it was better to finish the project, he said

[url]http://www.bangkokpost.com/100908_News/10Sep2008_news13.php[/url]

-----------------------------------

[B][I][SIZE="4"]Funding approved for weapons, new Parliament[/SIZE][/I][/B]
By The Nation, Agencies
Published on September 10, 2008


[B]Udon Thani - The Cabinet yesterday approved large amounts of funds to build a new Parliament house complex and to buy military weapons, government spokesmen said. [/B]


The decision came a few hours before the Constitution Court read its verdict disqualifying Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for his involvement as an employee in two television cooking shows.


At its mobile meeting in the Northeastern province, the cabinet endorsed a request by the House of Representatives' Secretariat for Bt774 million to build the new parliamentary compound at Bangkok's Kiak Kai area, said Deputy Government Spokesman Nattawut Saikua.


"The prime minister told the cabinet meeting that the construction project for the new Parliament will continue, and the Kiak Kai area has been considered the most suitable for the project," he said.


The Government House compound has not been used since anti-government protesters began occupying the grounds two weeks ago.


[B]The cabinet yesterday also approved the purchase of military weapons worth more than Bt6 billion, Government Spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat told reporters.[/B]


[B]The deal includes a Bt4.9-billion amphibious frigate, a small aircraft, a laser mapping system and thousands of rifles and other light weapons.[/B]


[B]"It's related to the Defence Ministry and internal security," the spokesman said.[/B]


The announcement was made before the court ordered Samak, who was also the defence minister, to resign for accepting payments for hosting television cooking shows but that was not expected to have an impact on the arms purchase.


[B]The government approved the purchase of thousands of rifles and other light arms from Israel, as well as shoulder-fired missiles from Russia, the spokesman said.[/B]

[B]The frigate will be built in Thailand, he said.[/B]

[url]http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/10/politics/politics_30083054.php[/url]

------------------------------

Well. This is a second batch of Tavor and Negev. As I said earlier, RTA want to use Tavor as its main rifle. Now the total number of Tavor on order is 30,000 and 1,100 for Negev.

The SAM system from Russia. It's Igla MANPAD. Those 36 Iglas will go to RTA air defense unit.

And ...... the cabinet approves the LPD purchase in the budget around 5 billion baht. (144 mil$) The English news does not say much detail but the news in Thai language in Matichon.co.th give us a informative article. It's firmly say that the LPD is from ST Marine. So It should be Endurance-Class LPD.

[quote]
ครม.เอาใจ "กองทัพ" อนุมัติ 7 พันล้าน ซื้ออาวุธ-ยุทธโธปกรณ์ ปลุกผี "คลองด่าน" อ้างก่อสร้างเสร็จไปกว่า 98%

...
เอาใจกองทัพอนุมัติ7พันล.ซื้ออาวุธ

พล.ต.ท.วิเชียรโชติ กล่าวว่า ครม.ยังอนุมัติตามที่กระทรวงกลาโหมขอเสนอจัดซื้ออาวุธยุทโธปกรณ์หลายรายการดังนี้ โดยกองทัพเรือ ขอก่อหนี้ผูกพันข้ามปีงบประมาณโครงการจัดหาเรือยกพลขึ้นบก โดยเป็นการจ้างให้สร้างจำนวน 1 ลำ ราคา 4,943,854,120 บาท ในราคายกเว้นศุลกากร เพื่อใช้สำหรับปฏิบัติการทางทะเล การบรรเทาสาธารณภัย และช่วยเหลือผู้ประสบภัย รวมทั้งเพื่อการฝึกให้กับทหารเรือ

นอกจากนี้ ยังอนุมติ ให้กองทัพบก 1.ก่อหนี้ผูกพันข้ามปีงบประมาณ โครงการจัดหาปืนเล็กยาว ขนาด 5.56 มิลลิเมตร ระยะที่ 3 จำนวน 15,037 กระบอก วงเงิน 1,012,604,512 บาท จากรัฐบาลประเทศอิสราเอล 2.อนุมัติลงนามในเอกสารข้อตกลงการซื้อขายในฐานะผู้แทนรัฐบาลไทย สำหรับการจัดหาอาวุธนำวิถีต่อสู้อากาศยานระดับต่ำ ชนิดประทับไหล่ยิง แบบนำไปด้วยบุคคล จำนวน 36 หน่วยยิง แบบรัฐบาลต่อรัฐบาล (จีทูจี) ยกเว้นอากรทุกประเภท จากรัฐบาลรัสเซีย วงเงิน 132,402,102 บาท 3.อนุมัติลงนามในเอกสารข้อตกลงการซื้อขายในฐานะผู้แทนรัฐบาลไทยในการจัดซื้อปืนเล็กกลขนาด 5.56 มิลลิเมตร แบบ NEGEV โดย วิธีจีทูจี จากรัฐบาลอิสราเอล จำนวน 531 กระบอก วงเงิน 140,276,691 บาท ยกเว้นภาษีอากรทุกประเภท

รวมทั้ง ครม.ยังอนุมัติ ตามที่กองบัญชาการกองทัพไทย เสนอจัดซื้อระบบจัดทำแผนที่ด้วยระบบเลเซอร์ พร้อมเครื่องบิน 2 รายการหลัก 13 รายการย่อย โดยวิธีจีทูจี จากรัฐบาลประเทศแคนนาดา วงเงิน 552,449,580 บาท

พล.ต.ท.วิเชียรโชติ กล่าวว่า สำหรับเหตุผลประกอบการจัดซื้อ ทางกองทัพได้รายงานมาทุกประเภท แต่ไม่สามารถเปิดเผยได้ เพราะเป็นเรื่องลับ แต่ยืนยันว่า การดำเนินการทุกอย่าง ได้ผ่านกระบวนการเป็นลำดับชั้นมาจากแต่ละเหล่าทัพ ตลอดจนผ่านการตรวจสอบโดยผู้บัญชาการเหล่าทัพแล้ว จนมาถึงครม. และถือเป็นเหตุผลความจำเป็นของกระทรวงกลาโหม

ผู้สื่อข่าวรายงานว่า วงเงินการดำเนินการจัดซื้ออาวุธยุทธโธปกรณ์ที่ครม.อนุมัติให้กระทรวงกลาโหมครั้งนี้ ทั้งหมดมีวงเงินรวมทั้งสิ้นถึง 6,781,587,005 บาท

รายงานข่าวแจ้งว่า สำหรับการก่อหนี้ผูกพันข้ามปีงบประมาณโครงการจัดหาเรือยกพลขึ้นบก โดยเป็นการจ้างให้สร้างจำนวน 1 ลำ ราคา 4,943,854,120 บาท ของกองทัพเรือนั้น เป็นโครงการจัดหาเรือยกพลขึ้นบกขนาดใหญ่สำหรับใช้ในปฏิบัติการสะเทินน้ำสะเทินบก การขนส่งลำเลียงทางทะเล การช่วยเหลือประชาชน บรรเทาสาธารณภัยต่างๆ และสนับสนุนการฝึกภาคปฏิบัติในทะเลของกองทัพเรือและใช้เป็นฐานปฏิบัติการในทะเล โดยปัจจุบันกองทัพเรือมีเรือยกพลขึ้นบกขนาดใหญ่ จำนวน 4 ลำ และในปี 2551 มีแผนที่จะปลดระวางประจำการจำนวน 2 ลำ เนื่องจากมีสภาพชำรุดไม่คุ้มค่ากับการซ่อมแซม ทำให้เรือยกพลขนาดใหญ่ไม่เพียงพอ จำเป็นต้องหาทดแทน สำหรับการจัดหาเรือยกพลลำใหม่นี้ เป็นการก่อหนี้ผูกพัน ต่อเนื่อง 4 ปี แบ่งเป็น ปี 2551 จำนวน 1 พันล้านบาท ปี 2552 จำนวน 1.4 พันล้านบาท ปี 2553 จำนวน 1.4 พันล้านบาท และปี 2554 จำนวน 1,143,854,120 บาท พร้อมอุปกรณ์ อะไหล่ เครื่องมือ ส่วนสนับสนุน และอื่นๆ ที่เกี่ยวข้อง จากบริษัท Singapore Technologies Marine LTD. จากสาธารณรัฐสิงคโปร์ กำหนดส่งมอบ ณ อู่เรือของผู้รับจ้าง ภายใน 48 เดือน นับถัดจากวันลงนามในสัญญา

ข่าวแจ้งอีกว่า สำหรับการอนุมัติก่อหนี้ผูกพันข้ามปีงบประมาณของกองทัพบก โครงการจัดหาปืนเล็กยาว ขนาด 5.56 มิลลิเมตร ระยะที่ 3 จำนวน 15,037 กระบอก วงเงิน 1,012,604,512 บาท จากรัฐบาลประเทศอิสราเอล นั้น เป็นการก่อหนี้ผูกพันระหว่างปี 2551-2553 โดยเป็นปืน แบบ TAVOR TAR-21 เพื่อแจกจ่ายให้แก่หน่วยเป้าหมาย ทดแทนของเดิมที่มีสภาพเก่า ล้าสมัย และชำรุด เนื่องจากมีการใช้งานมานาน ทำให้ขาดความแม่นยำในการยิง การจัดหาตามโครงการ จะเป็นการเพิ่มขีดความสามารถความพร้อมรบด้านยุทธโธปกรณ์ให้กับหน่วยกำลังรบหลัก ให้สามารถต่อต้านภัยคุกคามได้อย่างมีประสิทธิภาพ ทั้งนี้ ให้ผบ.ทบ. หรือผู้แทน เป็นผู้ลงนามในความตกลงซื้อขายระหว่างรับบาลไทยกับรัฐบาลอิสราเอล โดยให้รวมถึงการลงนามในเอกสารแก้ไขความตกลงที่อาจเกิดขึ้นในภายหลัง

ข่าวแจ้งว่า สำหรับการอนุมัติลงนามในเอกสารข้อตกลงการซื้อขายในฐานะผู้แทนรัฐบาลไทย สำหรับการจัดหาอาวุธนำวิถีต่อสู้อากาศยานระดับต่ำ ชนิดประทับไหล่ยิง แบบนำไปด้วยบุคคล จำนวน 36 หน่วยยิง จากรัฐบาลรัสเซีย วงเงิน 132,402,102 บาท และการอนุมัติลงนามในเอกสารข้อตกลงการซื้อขายในฐานะผู้แทนรัฐบาลไทยในการจัดซื้อปืนเล็กกลขนาด 5.56 มิลลิเมตร แบบ NEGEV จากรัฐบาลอิสราเอล 531 กระบอก วงเงิน 140,276,691, บาท กระทรวงการต่างประเทศรายงานว่า สามารถดำเนินการได้โดยไม่เข้าข่ายหนังสือสัญญาตามมาตรา 190 วรรค 2 แห่งรัฐธรรมนูญ 2550

[url]http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1220969004[/url]
[/quote]

So, in summary.

1. 15,037 x TAR-21 Tavor (30mil$)
2. 531 x Negev (4mil$)
3. 1 x Endurance-Class LPD from ST Marine (144mil$)
4. 2 x Mapping aircraft from Canada (unknown type) (16mil$)

[quote=Skyman;3537060][SIZE=4][I][B]Approval for guns, vessel, Klong Dan[/B][/I][/SIZE]
PRADIT RUANGDIT


[B]UDON THANI : The cabinet yesterday approved a 6.2-billion-baht budget for the army and navy to buy weapons and other equipment under a plan to modernise the defence forces. [/B]

All deals will be made through government-to-government contracts, government spokesman Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote Sukchoterat said.

[B]The army received permission to purchase 531 Negev rifles made in Israel at a cost of 140 million baht and to sign a long-term financial commitment to buy 15,037 Tavor rifles, also from Israel, for another one billion baht. The Tavor deal is over three years, from now until 2010. [/B]

The army emphasised the firearms were needed to replace weapons which were in poor condition, the spokesman said.

[B]The cabinet also approved an agreement with Russia to purchase portable air-defence systems at a cost of 132 million baht and a long-term financial commitment for five years to buy a landing craft for five billion baht. [/B]

Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote said the cabinet also approved the completion of the Klong Dan water treatment project in Samut Prakan, which has been been on hold for over a decade because of corruption cases.

Since 92% of the construction had already been completed, the cabinet agreed it was better to finish the project, he said

[URL]http://www.bangkokpost.com/100908_News/10Sep2008_news13.php[/URL]

-----------------------------------

[B][I][SIZE=4]Funding approved for weapons, new Parliament[/SIZE][/I][/B]
By The Nation, Agencies
Published on September 10, 2008


[B]Udon Thani - The Cabinet yesterday approved large amounts of funds to build a new Parliament house complex and to buy military weapons, government spokesmen said. [/B]


The decision came a few hours before the Constitution Court read its verdict disqualifying Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for his involvement as an employee in two television cooking shows.


At its mobile meeting in the Northeastern province, the cabinet endorsed a request by the House of Representatives' Secretariat for Bt774 million to build the new parliamentary compound at Bangkok's Kiak Kai area, said Deputy Government Spokesman Nattawut Saikua.


"The prime minister told the cabinet meeting that the construction project for the new Parliament will continue, and the Kiak Kai area has been considered the most suitable for the project," he said.


The Government House compound has not been used since anti-government protesters began occupying the grounds two weeks ago.


[B]The cabinet yesterday also approved the purchase of military weapons worth more than Bt6 billion, Government Spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat told reporters.[/B]


[B]The deal includes a Bt4.9-billion amphibious frigate, a small aircraft, a laser mapping system and thousands of rifles and other light weapons.[/B]


[B]"It's related to the Defence Ministry and internal security," the spokesman said.[/B]


The announcement was made before the court ordered Samak, who was also the defence minister, to resign for accepting payments for hosting television cooking shows but that was not expected to have an impact on the arms purchase.


[B]The government approved the purchase of thousands of rifles and other light arms from Israel, as well as shoulder-fired missiles from Russia, the spokesman said.[/B]

[B]The frigate will be built in Thailand, he said.[/B]

[URL]http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/10/politics/politics_30083054.php[/URL]

------------------------------

Well. This is a second batch of Tavor and Negev. As I said earlier, RTA want to use Tavor as its main rifle. Now the total number of Tavor on order is 30,000 and 1,100 for Negev.

The SAM system from Russia. It's Igla MANPAD. Those 36 Iglas will go to RTA air defense unit.

And ...... the cabinet approves the LPD purchase in the budget around 5 billion baht. (144 mil$) The English news does not say much detail but the news in Thai language in Matichon.co.th give us a informative article. It's firmly say that the LPD is from ST Marine. So It should be Endurance-Class LPD.



So, in summary.

1. 15,037 x TAR-21 Tavor (30mil$)
2. 531 x Negev (4mil$)
3. 1 x Endurance-Class LPD from ST Marine (144mil$)
4. 2 x Mapping aircraft from Canada (unknown type) (16mil$)[/quote]

This is Great! I believe this is the 1st confirmed sales of the Endurance class LST, maybe Thailand's version is larger as RSN chose the smaller version in the past as it best suits our needs.

But will the sales be affected by the serious political turmoil in Bangkok? I mean the current PM is trying very hard to hang on to power and he is facing very strong opposition.

Thanks skyman for your answer.
For information, the chankra was appeared in the 20's, the Thaï insignia was different during ww1.

I still search some pictures of the Thaï army or police after world war 2, with reissued japanese helmets.

Thanks.

^
^
^
No problem. If I'm found something more, I'll post. :)

[QUOTE=tankee1981;3537876]This is Great! I believe this is the 1st confirmed sales of the Endurance class LST, maybe Thailand's version is larger as RSN chose the smaller version in the past as it best suits our needs.

But will the sales be affected by the serious political turmoil in Bangkok? I mean the current PM is trying very hard to hang on to power and he is facing very strong opposition.[/QUOTE]

I don't think the political situation will effect this project. OK PM Samak is was forced resign but the next PM still come from the currect collation government. But whoever will become PM, they will not want to intervene the military because they need armed force's support to avoid another coup. p-)

Translation from the Thai news above on the LPD matter.

[quote]The Gov't spokesman said the LPD project will be a multiple-year budgetary plan. RTN will build 1 LPD that cost 4,943,854,120 Baht. LPD will be used in amphibious mission, sea transportation, rescue, disaster relief, training, and sea-base HQ. Today RTN operates 4 landing craft and 2 of them will be decommissioned in 2008 because they are not worth to operate and repair, causing RTN do not have enough ship to conduct missions. This procurement is base on a multiple-year spending plan. RTN will pay 1 billion Baht in 2008, 1.4 billion Baht in 2009 and 2010, and 1,143,854,120 Baht in 2011. The project includes equipment, spare part, support and its associated equipment from Singapore Technologies Marine LTD. from Republic of Singapore. The delivery date is 48 months from the contact-signing day in the contractor's dockyard. [/quote]

RTN ship might be larger.

RTN requirement on LPD. The requirement might changed this day but I think not that much.


[quote]Annex 1 General requirements of RTN Landing Platform Dock (LPD)
1.1 Type : LANDING PLATFORM DOCK : LPD
1.2 Project : 2 Ships ; Project period : 2006 - 2010
1.3 Capability Needs
1.3.1 Amphibious transport
1.3.2 Disaster relief, Evacuation operations, Humanitarian assistance and civil support
1.3.3 Search and Rescue
1.3.4 Training
1.4 General Characteristics and Specification
1.4.1 Displacement 6,000 – 9,000 Tons (full load)
1.4.2 Max continuous speed not less than 20 knots
1.4.3 Range : not less than 5,000 NM at economic speed 15 knots
1.4.4 Endurance at least 45 days
1.4.5 Operation at sea up to sea state 6
1.4.6 The vessel’s aviation support for helicopter weight up to 22,000 pounds
1.4.7 Propulsion system Diesel engine
1.4.8 Armament Main gun 76 mm. with fire control system
Secondary guns 20 mm. and .50 inches
CIWS
1.4.9 Transport Capacity Flight Deck At least 2 spots for helicopters weight 22,000 pounds
Dock : +3 x LCM or +2 x HOVERCRAFT or 2 x Fast Interceptor
Deck : Carrying area not less than 150 m3, Space for 20AAVs and 30 Medium trucks
TROOPS : not less than 500 including ship crews [/quote]

A very little movements from RTA ^.^ - may be a demonstration for visitors.

2nd Engineer Battalion , The King's Guard at Sri So Thorn Base , Chachoengsao Province.

Original photos from [URL]http://tabonk.multiply.com[/URL] , Thanks for your photos.

[IMG]http://images.tabonk.multiply.com/image/6/photos/13/1200x1200/1/DSC8899-resize1.jpg?et=%2C%2BkzjnGWMKx%2BKdWVdF%2CCPA&nmid=115325405[/IMG]

[IMG]http://images.tabonk.multiply.com/image/4/photos/13/1200x1200/2/DSC8863-resize.JPG?et=IbGkbZ6tGfdQsqsBhBowiw&nmid=115325405[/IMG]


[IMG]http://images.tabonk.multiply.com/image/4/photos/13/1200x1200/3/DSC8872-resize.JPG?et=nVsqUYWAWAAm102TFfO0cg&nmid=115325405[/IMG]

[IMG]http://images.tabonk.multiply.com/image/3/photos/13/1200x1200/4/DSC8883-resize.JPG?et=c37FF0zEWR2Ym7qzT57NCw&nmid=115325405[/IMG]

[IMG]http://images.tabonk.multiply.com/image/3/photos/13/1200x1200/5/DSC8887-resize.JPG?et=5QROe8pKouY8z6HyLPwIlA&nmid=115325405[/IMG]

[IMG]http://images.tabonk.multiply.com/image/3/photos/13/1200x1200/6/DSC8896-resize.JPG?et=7bDq%2B3Jw1m1gwwqkT0hItA&nmid=115325405[/IMG]

[IMG]http://images.tabonk.multiply.com/image/4/photos/13/1200x1200/7/DSC8905-resize.JPG?et=AAavXtlq3FBaJ3CryIxbZw&nmid=115325405[/IMG]

[IMG]http://images.tabonk.multiply.com/image/4/photos/13/1200x1200/8/DSC8911-resize.JPG?et=VxATAcn64fRM8JyLfoMG%2CA&nmid=115325405[/IMG]

[IMG]http://images.tabonk.multiply.com/image/6/photos/13/1200x1200/9/DSC8901-resize1.jpg?et=VQ8ZuJvN0uU2YiaJaqjQJg&nmid=115325405[/IMG]

based on the displacement above, probably not much larger than RSN ones

-aneep-

I'm getting bore of this. :bash:

[B][I][SIZE="4"]Thailand protest Cambodia over troop intrusion[/SIZE][/I][/B]
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Published on September 17, 2008


[B]Thailand protested to Cambodia on Tuesday over an intrusion of troops into the border area at the temple of Ta Kwai in Surin province.[/B]

[B]It was the third Khmer sanctuary since July to create conflict between the two neighbours after the disputes over the Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom temples.[/B]

The Foreign Ministry's permanent secretary Virasakdi Futrakul summoned Cambodia's ambassador Ung Sean to take an aide-memoire at the ministry yesterday.


[B]The memoire said some 70 Cambodian armed forces had intruded into the temple on September 6. It was the second intrusion since some 30 Cambodian troops were seen earlier at the temple between August 3 and 6. [/B]


"These acts constituted a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Thailand," the memoire said.


[B]Thailand asked Cambodia to do its utmost to avoid a recurrence of the incident in the future, it said. Ung Sean did not talk to reporters after the meeting with Virasakdi at the ministry.[/B]


The ministry's acting spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said there was no longer a military stand off in the area since both sides had redeployed their respective armed forces elsewhere.


[B]The withdrawal of Cambodian troops from the site and vicinity came only after repeated protests from local Thai authorities. [/B]


Cambodia's government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said earlier that Thai troops had moved into an area close to the temple also known in Cambodian as Ta Krabey. Cambodia was preparing to appeal to a "third international party" to intervene, he said.


Thani said the dispute could be solved bilaterally. Thailand is committed to cooperation with Cambodia within the framework of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) with a view to resolving the boundary issue in a just and peaceful manner, he said.


[B]The issue might be discussed when Thai and Cambodian delegations meet in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly later this month, he said.[/B]


[B]In a separate issue, Thailand has dismissed Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's doubts over its ability to host the upcoming Asean summit due to the ongoing political crisis.[/B]


The Foreign Ministry's acting spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said Thailand, as the chair of the group, is ready for the summit. Preparation for the Asean summit and other endeavours by Thailand are on track, he said.


[B]"Recent political developments in Thailand have not in any way affected the preparations which are in line with the announced timelines," he said.[/B]


[B]To show its commitment, the Thai Senate yesterday approved the bill on protection for the operation of the Asean, enabling Thailand to ratify the Asean charter, he said.[/B]

[url]http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/17/national/national_30083634.php[/url]

--------------------------------------------------

[img]http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3509/551000011752901vk5.jpg[/img]

[quote]Cambodian troops move to the temple. / manager.co.th[/quote]

[img]http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3774/551000011749101bb8.jpg[/img]

[quote]Ta Kwai temple. / manager.co.th[/quote]

[img]http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3048/551000011749103hi0.jpg[/img]

[quote]Map. / manager.co.th[/quote]

------------------------------------------

[img]http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/2594/26539i2nj3.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/5826/26539i1bu4.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3681/26539i3sw9.jpg[/img]


[B][I]Press Release
[SIZE="4"]Thailand protests against Cambodia’s violation of Thailand’s sovereignty in the Temple of Ta Kwai area [/SIZE][/I][/B]
September 16, 2008



[B]According to the news report, Cambodian armed units have entered and occupied the Temple of Ta Kwai (Prasat Ta Kwai) in early August and September 2008.[/B]

[B]On 16 September 2008 at 17.00 hrs., Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs invited the Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand to receive an Aide-Memoire protesting Cambodia’s violation of Thailand’s sovereignty in the Temple of Ta Kwai area within Surin Province of Thailand. The summary of the Aide-Memoire is as follows:[/B]

1. On 6 September 2008, a Cambodian armed unit had been intruding into the Temple of Ta Kwai area which is situated in the Thai territory (after a previous intrusion by Cambodian military unit of about 30 men during 3-6 August 2008). The Thai local authorities therefore requested the said Cambodia unit to evacuate the area. The request was however disregarded for several days and the said Cambodian unit was withdrawn from the site and its vicinity only after repeated protests from the said Thai local authorities.

2. These acts constituted violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs therefore formally lodges a protest in this regard and requests that the Royal Government of Cambodia do its utmost to avoid this kind of unfortunate incident in the future.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hereby reaffirms Thailand’s commitment to closely cooperate with Cambodia within the existing framework of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) with a view to resolving boundary issues in a just and peaceful manner in accordance with international law.

[B]The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms that Temple of Ta Kwai is situated in Thai territory. Thailand and Cambodia is currently in the process of joint survey and demarcation for the entire stretch of 798 kilometers of land boundary in accordance with the MOU of 2000. The said process has progressed well and is a mechanism for solving all boundary issues, including this issue.[/B]


[url]http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2642.php?id=26539[/url]

------------------------

[B]THAI-CAMBODIAN RELATIONS

[I][SIZE="4"]Govt rejects Asean chairmanship fears[/SIZE][/I]
Thailand committed, ready for the task[/B]

ANUCHA CHAROENPO, ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT & THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL


[B]Thailand yesterday rejected concerns raised by Cambodia about the kingdom's ability to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), due to its political turmoil. [/B]

[B]The government, Foreign Ministry and Thai ambassador to Cambodia said the ongoing crisis between the government and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will not affect Thailand's chairmanship or its plans to host the regional Asean summit later this year. [/B]

[B]The fears raised by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen were discussed by the cabinet. Government spokesman Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote Sukchoterat said after the meeting that the grouping's chairmanship will not be affected by Thailand's domestic issues. [/B]

Hun Sen suggested the chairmanship be given to Singapore or Vietnam to avoid problems in Asean. But the Thai government rejected the idea.

[B]''Why would we hand the position over to another country?'' said Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote. ''The political turmoil is an internal problem. We don't want other countries to interfere.'' [/B]

Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Thani Thongphakdi rejected having other members host the Asean meeting.

Thailand has shown commitment to Asean with its readiness to ratify the Asean Charter during the summit in December in Bangkok, he added.

[B]The Senate yesterday approved a law enabling Thailand to ratify the charter. It requires royal endorsement. [/B]

Thai ambassador to Cambodia, Viraphand Vacharathit, said Thailand had prepared for the chairmanship long before taking over the rotating post from Singapore in July and was ready to take care of Asean affairs.

[B]''After all, Thailand has organised several big international events no matter what the circumstances,'' he said. [/B]

[B]A government source said Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith yesterday clarified that Hun Sen was worried that the problems in Thailand would affect Asean's image. His intention was to see the Thai situation return to normal, he added. [/B]

[B]Somkiati Ariyapruchya, dean of the Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations at Rangsit University, said Hun Sen's remarks were not helpful to bilateral relations. [/B]

What Cambodia should focus on now is solving border disputes with Thailand through bilateral negotiations, he said.

[B]''It is an uncalled-for remark and fellow members of Asean out of normal courtesy should refrain from commenting on internal matters of other fellows,'' said Mr Somkiati, who is also a retired ambassador. [/B]

[B]''Thailand has a lot of experience in handling Asean meetings and it does not need to relinquish the Asean chairmanship,'' he added.[/B]

[url]http://www.bangkokpost.com/170908_News/17Sep2008_news08.php[/url]

[B][I][SIZE="4"]SINGSIAM 15/2008.[/SIZE][/I][/B]

[img]http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/6528/singsiam20081hc5.jpg[/img]

SINGSIAM 15/2008, a join exercise between Royal Thai Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy, first begin in 1985 and this is the 15th of this training.

The training was held on 17 - 27 Aug 2008 in the Gulf of Thailand.

Paticipated ships.

Royal Thai Navy

- HTMS Pattani
- HTMS Rajcharit
- HTMS Phuket

Republic of Singapore Navy

- RSS Tenacious
- RSS Victory
- RSS Independence

This is photo from training. Sad that no hi-res photo avaliable.:cantbeli:

Opening ceremony.

[img]http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4856/singsiam20082gb2.jpg[/img]

Briefing.

[img]http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8246/singsiam20083za2.jpg[/img]

Training.

[img]http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6176/singsiam20084ep9.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5200/singsiam20085ps7.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7554/singsiam20086iz1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4206/singsiam20087kn5.jpg[/img]

Closing ceremony.

[img]http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6417/singsiam20088dh1.jpg[/img]

Official from RTN.

[B][I][SIZE="4"]Thailand joins 4-nation joint patrol of straits of Malacca [/SIZE][/I][/B]

[B]BANGKOK, Sept 18 (TNA) - Thailand on Thursday signed an agreement with three partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore – to conduct joint sea and air patrols of the Straits of Malacca starting from 2009.[/B]

Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niempradit and his counterparts from the three ASEAN nations signed two accords in the Thai capital, the Terms of Reference (TOR) and the Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) agreements.

[B]Gen. Boonsang said after signing the agreements that the combined cooperation would ensure safety for international shipping in and around the Straits, a vital conduit of much of the world trade, particularly of oil bound for Japan and Korea.[/B]

[B]He said Thailand would begin its air patrols in January while sea surveillance would start in October 2009. [/B]

Hailing the coordinated patrol agreement, Malaysian military chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz said coordination would be carried out in a centre in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital.

Since joint patrols began in the Straits of Malacca and their approaches by Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia in April 2006, the number of piracy incidents in the area had declined sharply, he said. In 2007, only one incident was reported.

[B]Thursday's signing by Thailand followed cabinet approval on August 19 authorising the Royal Thai Navy to be responsible, with the government providing some Bt110 million annually to conduct the programme. (TNA)[/B]

[url]http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=6330[/url]

---------------------------------------


[B][I][SIZE="4"]Thailand to hold bilateral talks with Cambodia [/SIZE][/I][/B]

[B]BANGKOK, Sep 18 (TNA) – Thailand's new Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has sought to hold bilateral talks with Cambodia to resolve the border dispute. [/B]

Mr. Somchai convened a meeting with agencies concerned to discuss the issue at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

[B]The prime minister said the negotiations between the two countries had been interrupted by political turmoil and Thailand's change of foreign ministers. [/B]

Earlier talks went well and smooth, he said, and the two countries had good relations.

[B]He said after Thursday's meeting that he would send a letter to the Cambodian prime minister seeking further talks for better understanding. [/B]

Mr. Somchai added he expected the two sides to talk during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly and on the sidelines of the Asean foreign ministers in New York on September 29.

[B]He said he would not attend the General Assembly but that the foreign ministry would be his representative, he said, adding that the new foreign minister will be formally appointed before the UN meeting. (TNA) [/B]

[url]http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=6327[/url]

More detail on RTA and RTN recent perchase.

[B][I][SIZE="4"]Thailand Plans $191.3M Arms Purchase[/SIZE][/I][/B]
By PATRICK WINN
Published: 12 Sep 15:32 EDT (19:32 GMT) Print | Email

[B]BANGKOK - Thailand's military, still standing watch over the kingdom's political upheaval, has been cleared to purchase thousands of Israeli assault rifles and a Singaporean warship.

Embattled Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who doubles as defense minister, approved a package of defense modernization deals with his Cabinet on Sept. 9. In total, the package is worth an estimated $191.3 million.[/B]

[B]Most of the package is devoted to a $152.8 million Singapore Technologies-designed amphibious frigate. The Royal Thai Armed Forces will also buy thousands of Israeli assault rifles and Russian shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles.[/B]

"The Cabinet has been lenient with military requests this year in particular," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political and security analyst with Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University. "The last thing Samak needs right now is disgruntlement in the military."

[B]Cabinet documents obtained by Defense News say that Thailand's military will contract with Singapore Technologies to buy one large, amphibious frigate - called a landing platform dock ship - for transporting cargo and troops.[/B]

However, the papers don't specify an exact model. The frigate will be paid off in installments through 2011.

[B]Thailand has also inked a contract to buy 15,037 Tavor TAR-21 assault rifles from Israel. This $30.1 million buy will boost the Thai military's total stock of the bullpup-design rifles to more than 30,000 - replacing many of the Army's aging rifles.[/B]

[B]That purchase is coupled with a $4.4 million order for 531 Israeli Negev light machine guns, raising Thailand's stock to more than 1,100. These will be partially paid for from a special budget tied to securing the violence-scarred Malaysian border, where separatist Muslim insurgents continue to target soldiers and civilians. Russia will also supply 36 Igla-S shoulder-fired, surface-to-air missiles to Thailand - with seven launching mechanisms - for nearly $4 million.[/B]

The contracts, which Thitinan described as "scattered," suggest the Thai military lacks a "coherent long-term procurement strategy," he said.

[B]In December, when a military council still led Thailand after former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's 2006 coup, it announced a similar round of purchases. In addition to overall modernization plans for each service, the military announced plans to buy Saab Gripen fighter jets, Chinese surface-to-surface missiles, armed personnel carriers and more.[/B]

"It's been a hodgepodge package in the last few years," Thitinan said.

The new package appears in part to address some of Thailand's topical needs, with the Negev light machine guns intended to fight the kingdom's gruesome southern insurgency. The amphibious frigate, according to Cabinet documents, will provide quick disaster relief. Singapore's fleet of landing platform dock ships - all built by the same Singapore Technologies firm - were among the many vessels delivering medics and supplies during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

The deal, a modernization boon to Thailand's military, was inked under a shroud of political unrest. To approve the package, the prime minister and his Cabinet convened many provinces away from their Bangkok compound, still occupied as of Sept. 12 by protesters demanding Samak's resignation. At one point 10,000 deep, the protesters transformed the prime minister's stately grounds into a grungy campsite ringed with razor-wire and makeshift barricades.

After Samak issued a state of emergency on Sept. 2, no soldiers were dispatched to the compound, and many questioned his sway over the military.

Gen. Anupong Paochinda, the Royal Thai Army's commander in chief, has insisted that restoring peace through the military is not the answer. Still, Thai military leaders took a similar public stance just before they ousted previous Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra two years ago.

Relations between Samak and the military remain "smooth and close," said government spokesman Nattawut Saikua. But he added: "I say this realizing the leader of the last coup said many, many times he would not seize power."

However, Samak's tenuous hold on the prime minister's seat is not expected to affect the military's new arms package.

[url]http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3722292&c=ASI&s=LAN[/url]

B.ThO.2 is bases on SF-260MT RTAF previously operated decades ago. This is a reverse-engineering prototype ot RTAF primary trainer. The final model is RTAF-6 which is under development. p-)


[img]http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9697/x70199110kp7.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/5203/x70199111ct9.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5020/x70199112rt4.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2269/x70199113ty6.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/7899/x70199114sj4.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/157/x70199115dx4.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9025/x70199116hy5.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9933/x70199117nh4.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/5791/x70199118xi9.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/962/x70199119uv4.jpg[/img]

-------------------------------

News

[B][I][SIZE="4"]Govt 'not party' to peace talks[/SIZE][/I]
Southerners, Samak adviser meet in Bogor[/B]

BANGKOK POST AND AGENCIES

[B]A fresh dialogue called in a bid to end the southern unrest was held in Indonesia over the weekend but the Thai government says it is not involved.[/B]

[B]The talks were mediated by Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said.

He said five representatives from the deep South and negotiators from Bangkok attended the two-day meeting, which ended yesterday. [/B]

He did not identify the southerners, but said the Bangkok delegation included Kwanchart Klaharn, a former Fourth Army commander. In February, Gen Kwanchart was appointed by cabinet as an adviser to then-defence minister Samak Sundaravej.

Gen Kwanchart is thought to be among the names put forward for the defence portfolio in Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's new cabinet line-up, if Mr Somchai decides not to concurrently take the post.

[B]However, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said the government was not involved in any talks in Indonesia and it had not asked Jakarta to act as a mediator. [/B]

[B]"We did not send any representatives to Indonesia," Mr Tharit said. [/B]

[B]"Our position is that the situation in the South is an internal conflict and we will not set up any talks with the militants." [/B]

Mr Kalla met the delegations one after the other in a corridor separating the palace's Bung Karno meeting room and library, Antara news agency reported. The Bangkok delegation, which had been waiting in the right wing room, entered the corridor first and shook hands with Mr Kalla. Minutes later, the delegation from the South entered the corridor from the left wing room and also shook hands with him.

[B]Representatives were asked by Mr Kalla to "shake hands with one another before talking". [/B]

The event was observed by scholars from Indonesia's Paramadina University and Indonesian ambassador to Thailand Mohammad Hatta.

[B]A senior army officer told Issara news agency the talks grew out of cooperation between Thailand and Indonesia on tackling the insurgency. [/B]

[B]"Mr Kalla talked about the issue with former prime minister Samak when he made an official visit to Indonesia early this year," he said. [/B]

[B]It is expected that Jakarta's success in securing a permanent ceasefire in Aceh would be a model for Thailand to solve the insurgency in the far South. In June this year, cabinet assigned the Interior Ministry and the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre to study the solution in Aceh. [/B]

Earlier this year, former army chief and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Gen Chettha Thanajaro, a former defence minister, was criticised after he announced a joint ceasefire with a group called Thailand United Southern Underground, claiming to represent 11 separatist groups in the region.

Army officials and security experts dismissed the ceasefire as a publicity stunt, and the violence did not stop.

Srisompob Chitpiromsri, director of the Songkhla-based Southern Watch Centre, yesterday called on the government to release more information about the talks.

[B]"My worry is the rebel group at the talks has no direct involvement in the southern violence," he said. [/B]

[B]Pattani Islamic Committee chairman Waedueramae Mamingi said he had not been informed of the weekend's talks.

"It will give hope to villagers in the area," he said. [/B]

His province encountered the most cases of daily violence last month, according to the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4.

In August, 45 people were killed and 136 injured in the violence.

[url]http://www.bangkokpost.com/220908_News/22Sep2008_news03.php[/url]

--------------------------------

[B]POLITICS
[I][SIZE="4"]PM tipped to take defence portfolio, too[/SIZE][/I]
Non-MPs will be in new cabinet, says Somchai[/B]
WASSANA NANUAM



[B]Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has once again exerted his influence, this time to secure the defence portfolio for his brother-in-law, new Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, a source in the Defence Ministry said yesterday. [/B]

[B]The source said Mr Thaksin had made phones calls from Britain to his Class 10 classmates at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, who make up the Defence Ministry's strategic military unit, asking them to support Mr Somchai's dual appointment as defence minister. [/B]

[B]The source said Mr Somchai will not appoint a deputy. He will be assisted by a group of Mr Thaksin's Class 10 friends headed by ACM Sumet Phomanee. [/B]

The unit was appointed when Samak Sundaravej was prime minister and defence minister.

[B]The source said Mr Somchai would be welcomed by the top brass since he already had the support of army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda and defence permanent secretary Winai Phattiyakul. [/B]

[B]"Mr Somchai's appointment as defence minister would not upset the military equation. That's because he has never been a member of the armed forces and is not part of any pre-cadet or cadet class or any faction. His appointment won't cause any tension between factions. Mr Somchai will not want to create enemies in the military either," said the source. [/B]

As defence minister, Mr Somchai is expected to chair the first meeting of the Defence Council on Thursday, the last meeting for the military chiefs due to retire at the end of the month.

He said yesterday his cabinet line-up was 90% complete. He was waiting for the list under the quota of the Puea Pandin party and was expecting to receive it last night.

He has already forwarded some of the names to the cabinet secretariat to verify their qualifications.

He confirmed last night the cabinet would include some non-MPs who would serve in the economic ministries.

[B]The new line-up would be completed before tomorrow's weekly cabinet meeting, he said. [/B]

The list was confidential, known only to the leaders of the coalition parties. "I have even kept my wife Yaowapa in the dark," he said

A Chart Thai source said the party's cabinet line-up would be unchanged except for former deputy transport minister Anurak Jureemart, who faces a court case over the 2003 digit lottery.

Mr Anurak would be replaced by Warawut Silpa-archa, son of Chart Thai party leader Banharn, the source said.

Puea Pandin deputy leader Mun Patanotai said his party's cabinet members would be unchanged.

Sukhumpong Ngonkham, deputy secretary-general of the People Power party (PPP), has recommended the postponement of tomorrow's cabinet meeting until the cabinet is sworn in.

At the Matchimathipataya party, leader Anongwan Thepsuthin was reportedly pressured by PPP's core members to move from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to another portfolio, a PPP source said.

She was also forced to remove Banyin Tangpa****, the deputy commerce minister, said the source.

The energy portfolio currently held by Poonpirom Liptapanlop is likely to be handed to Wannarat Charnweerakul, a brother-in-law of Lt-Gen Poonpirom.

Maj-Gen Sornchai Montriwat said no one had yet invited former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to join the cabinet, but he felt if Gen Chavalit was invited he would accept.

[url]http://www.bangkokpost.com/220908_News/22Sep2008_news11.php[/url]

[img]http://www.saabgroup.com/saabgroup.web.website/images/logotype.gif[/img]

[B]Saab develops Royal Thai air defence[/B]
Saab has received an order worth 158 MTHB from the Royal Thai Air Force for development of the Royal Thai Air Force air defence command and control system.

2008-09-24 | The system will be developed in close collaboration with the customer and adapted for the specific requirements of the Royal Thai Air Force. The system involves the latest technology within for example data fusion capabilities, and is developed to be intuitive and user friendly.

“The order is important for the continued development of Saab’s expertise in command and control systems for air defence”, says Peter Wimmerström, President of Saab Systems.

The contract has been awarded in competition with the major command & control companies in the world and marks the continued cooperation between Saab and the Royal Thai Air Force.

[url="http://www.saabgroup.com/en/mediarelations/news/2008/saab_develops_royal_thai_air_defence.htm"]link[/url]


...

[IMG]http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/8463/missthai21f1859daem0.jpg[/IMG]
:)