Phumtham Wechayachai Finalizes Submarine Deal as Tenure as Defence Minister Ends

As the curtain falls on Phumtham Wechayachai’s tenure as Defence Minister, he signed off with a pivotal decision that had lingered like a ghostly shadow in the halls of power. Confirming his authorized approval on the long-delayed submarine procurement agreement, Phumtham ensured that this major military transaction would be among his last notable acts before stepping away from the defense portfolio. What’s left now is for this deal to wade through its final bureaucratic hoops—namely making its way onto the Cabinet’s agenda for an official seal of approval.

Fresh from a farewell ceremony held at the ministry on July 2, Phumtham recounted signing the agreement before June’s clock ran out. Functioning in his role as deputy premier with a focus on national security, he noted the submarine transaction as a matter requiring immediate finalization under his watch. “The submarine deal required my signature, and I approved it before June ended,” he affirmed with the decisive resolve that characterized his short but eventful nine-month turn at the helm.

This deal, long obstructed by a variety of political bottlenecks and logistical conundrums, symbolized one of the thorny issues he was eager to slice through efficiently during his appointment. Despite making headway with the submarine purchase, Phumtham reluctantly acknowledged that the proposed acquisition of Gripen fighter jets, manufactured in Sweden, wouldn’t quite soar before the conclusion of his term. “Some matters could be completed, others couldn’t,” he reflected candidly, tossing the proverbial baton to his successor with hopes of promptly addressing these pending orders.

When asked about the whispers surrounding the empty defense portfolio in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, Phumtham underlined the necessity of filling the slot with an individual equipped to toe the line between collaborative diplomacy and military prowess. “It used to belong to the Pheu Thai Party, but what matters more is choosing someone who can work effectively with the armed forces and protect national interests,” he reasoned emphatically, swiftly quashing rumors about the post enduring a lonely three-month vacancy and debunking speculative hearsay about potential appointees.

In the midst of this transitional phase, Phumtham gears up for his next chapter as Minister of Interior—a role he will assume post-swearing-in on July 3, while he steadfastly continues his duties as deputy prime minister. Reflecting on his time steering the ship at the defense ministry, he shared insights into his focus on building strong alliances with top military brass, all in the spirit of enhancing welfare for rank-and-file personnel and keeping the spirits of the troops buoyed and steady. He also recounted strides made in overhauling military housing solutions and initiating reforms that would fortify the army’s structural integrity.

As we bid farewell to Phumtham’s time as Defence Minister and anticipate his contributions in the Ministry of Interior, the narrative extends into the broader tapestry of events across Thailand. From an eccentric hippo birthday bash at a local zoo to a tragic encounter with a stunt gone awry, the country’s stories unfold like a rich, intricately woven fabric, capturing the ever-dynamic pulse that is uniquely and unabashedly Thailand.