Like naught boys in school, the politicians and military of Thailand get up to all sorts of tricks when the boss leaves the country; as Thaksin found out to his cost when he was thrown out by a coup. With Abhisit away at the United Nations, it had been a golden opportunity for his boys in government to get together with the military and hand out some extra cash; 10 billion baht to be precise.
In a time of financial crisis, that much money could do a lot to help maintain hospitals, schools and other public services which are so in need of some extra funding. But it is deemed more important that the country obtains 18,455 additional rubber truncheons, some Sea King helicopters (perhaps they can park them on the deck of the aircraft carrier which never goes anywhere), and a submarine.
Yes, a submarine. Given that the Gulf of Thailand has an average depth of 45 metres and is never deeper than 80 metres, it is possible that the vessel will be marine more than submarine; but let’s not worry about that. Just consider the procurement process “opportunities”.