Thai junta seeks $10 billion in new security budget
The Thai junta is seeking a new $10 billion defence and security budget, in what may be its final opportunity to allocate funds to the armed forces before a promised return to elections early in 2019.
Military spending has risen since former army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha seized power from the civilian government in 2014, fitting a pattern of Thai generals generously boosting budgets during their periodic coups.
The figures, proposed to the junta-picked National Legislative Assembly for the 2019 fiscal year, represent $7 billion for defence, a $1 billion increase since the military seized power four years ago.
In addition the regime wants $3 billion more in security plans meant to manage ‘new threats’, maintain ‘internal peace and order’ and prevent transnational crimes and cyber attacks as well as protect the Thai monarchy.
The new budget is part of a 20-year national strategy laid out in 2017 that is legally binding for future administrations to follow.
Prayut, who is now prime minister, has suggested after many delays a return to elections in February 2019, as many Thais weary of junta rule.
Paul Chambers, an expert on Thai politics at Naresuan University, said the latest budget may also be used to help ‘build and advertise’ a military-backed political party for the upcoming poll.
Chambers said: ‘After all, in Thailand's past, militaries have used defence budgeting in this manner.’
Prayut is increasingly playing the politician rather than military man, taking image-boosting trips around Thailand and abroad.
In the four years it has been in power the junta has overseen a sluggish economy that is just starting to pick back up, with growth reliant on domestic spending, exports and a booming tourism industry.
The proposed spending boost also comes at a time when the Thai junta's reputation as a graft-buster has taken a hit following several high-profile scandals.
Critics say the junta has been opaque in its financial dealings and failed to address rampant corruption – despite seizing power from the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra vowing to do so.
Pichai Naripthaphan, a former energy and deputy finance minister in the previous civilian administration, said spending has risen dramatically since 2006, when the military ousted Yingluck's brother, Thaksin.
Naripthaphan said: ‘If Thailand wants to develop the country the defence ministry budget must be cut in order that money could be spent on infrastructure projects which are more important.’
More from Defence Notes
-
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.
-
Australia’s Exercise Talisman Sabre concludes after a series of firsts
More than 40,000 military personnel from 19 participating nations took part in the 11th iteration of the biennial Exercise Talisman Sabre multi-domain event which was held across Australia and in Papua New Guinea.
-
US Africa Command targets logistic solutions
AFRICOM is seeking IT systems and supply chain management solutions to enhance interoperability and standardise logistical processes in its area of responsibility.
-
Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending
Germany’s Rheinmetall released its 1H 2025 results on 7 August, continuing the strong growth of recent years. A particular highlight of the result’s presentation was the Skyranger air defence system for which the company is predicting sales of about US$8.2 billion from the German Government before the end of the year.
-
Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave
Vehicle and technology companies are reporting substantial growth compared to the first half of 2024. Italy’s Fincantieri saw revenues jump 24% for the first half of the year compared to 2024 and Thales up 6.8% for the same period. General Dynamics reported second quarter revenue growth of 8.9% for the second quarter compared to last year and MilDef reported organic order intake growth of 58%.