A Thai House of Representatives' special committee assigned to review the 2024 budget rejected the Royal Thai Navy's (RTN) request of $48.1 million USD (1.7 billion Baht) to acquire a new frigate..The committee approved a separate $2.5 million USD (87.1 million Baht) funding requirement from the RTN's suggested budget to construct a runway and taxiway within the U-Tapao International Airport..The Navy argued that the frigate was necessary to maintain the nation's sovereignty, and to replace the two frigates the Navy plans to decommission by 2026. At least $480 million USD (17 billion Baht) is needed to fund the frigate, with the 1.7 billion figure used for the first year..The committee cut approximately $254.5 million USD (9 billion Baht) from funding requests various Thai agencies submitted for approval.
A Thai House of Representatives' special committee assigned to review the 2024 budget rejected the Royal Thai Navy's (RTN) request of $48.1 million USD (1.7 billion Baht) to acquire a new frigate..The committee approved a separate $2.5 million USD (87.1 million Baht) funding requirement from the RTN's suggested budget to construct a runway and taxiway within the U-Tapao International Airport..The Navy argued that the frigate was necessary to maintain the nation's sovereignty, and to replace the two frigates the Navy plans to decommission by 2026. At least $480 million USD (17 billion Baht) is needed to fund the frigate, with the 1.7 billion figure used for the first year..The committee cut approximately $254.5 million USD (9 billion Baht) from funding requests various Thai agencies submitted for approval.