Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed disappointment with opposition MPs' criticisms of the Defence Ministry, especially concerning bribery, which he described as a repeat of a previous accusation without enough evidence to support it.
During today's parliament debate, he addressed Move Forward MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn's claim that someone had sought a bribe from the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) in return for approving a 17 billion baht deal to purchase a frigate from China, replacing the submarine deal.
The prime minister mentioned that allegations of corruption had been brought up multiple times during the general debate, and he urged the opposition to provide evidence to back up the claims, emphasizing his desire to eradicate corruption.
He also agreed with the notion that the frigate should be constructed in Thailand to allow the Thai people to learn how to build such ships and benefit from the transfer of knowledge and technology.
However, he stressed that the issue of foreign relations must also be taken into account, given that the frigate deal involves Thailand and China.
During the second day of the general debate, Wiroj stated that the military policy under Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang is a replica of the one introduced by his predecessor, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, with no new reforms.
He asserted that the Move Forward party supports the RTN's frigate deal, noting that the navy currently has four aging frigates in service, with one set to be decommissioned soon, leaving an insufficient number to protect Thai maritime territory compared to Malaysia and Cambodia.
Wiroj mentioned that cutting the budget for the frigate project would prevent the RTN from benefiting from the transfer of knowledge and technology and from domestically building the ship.
