Thailand 133 Chinese armoured vehicles, 66,000 tons dried longans dryly

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Choppers wipe out rice debt

Chinese armoured cars swapped for longan

By Wassana Nanuam

The Royal Thai Army will soon have four Russian MI-17 multi-role helicopters, worth about 1.4 billion baht, as well as 96 armoured vehicles from China under its service after Russia and China agreed to trade weapons through a barter trade deal for Thai agricultural products, security sources said yesterday.

Among the topics raised for discussion with China during Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's official visit was the army's plan to procure 96 armoured vehicles to be deployed by the 2nd infantry division's new armoured battalion at Prachin Buri.

The sources said a total of 132 armoured vehicles, estimated to cost about 1.6 billion baht, would be procured from China. Of these, 96 would go to the army while the navy's marine units would take 24 and the remaining 12 would go to the Border Patrol Police.

Mr Thaksin has made it a condition that the armed forces' weapons procurement be strictly conducted under barter trade deals for Thai farm products.

``China was very cooperative with our proposal, otherwise the deal was unlikely to go through,'' a security source said, adding that China agreed to a barter deal that involves the trade of longans in exchange for armoured vehicles.

Mr Thaksin told reporters during his visit that China was very helpful and supportive of Thailand's proposal.

On Friday Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Mr Thaksin marked the 30th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic ties between the two countries at Beijing's Great Hall of the People by agreeing to promote economic cooperation in the Greater Mekong region.

Mr Thaksin also encouraged Chinese companies to invest in the development of oil, gas and other energy projects in Thailand.

Meanwhile, army commander Pravit Wongsuwan, who returned from his official visit to Russia yesterday, concluded a deal between the army and Moscow, which will see Thailand receive four MI-17 helicopters from Russia in exchange for writing off Moscow's debts for the purchase of Thai rice.

The MI-17, known in Russia as the MI-8MT, is capable of carrying cargo in its cabin with the door half-open or completely removed. It has two engines and is capable of single-engine flight in the event of a loss of power in one engine. If an engine fails, the other engine's output automatically increases to allow for flight continuation.

The army is planning to use the MI-17s, which can carry up to 30 troops, for transportation and logistics missions.

Russia reportedly owed Thailand US$25 million (over 1 billion baht) for its purchases of Thai rice. The balance would be made up with agricultural products from Thailand, a source said.

Army sources said the deal was finalised during Gen Pravit's one-week official visit to Russia.

A security source said that Gen Pravit was also interested in the possibility of a barter deal for Canadian armoured vehicles.

These could be deployed by another battalion under the 2nd infantry division, the source said.

``We have already made it known to Canada that we are interested in its armoured vehicles and if they agree to our prime minister's proposal for a barter trade deal for our farm products then it is possible that another armoured battalion could be equipped with their vehicles,'' the source said.


http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/03Jul2005_news04.php

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China. Thailand to further military ties

www.chinaview.cn 2005-09-15 13:19:18


BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- China will work with Thailand to promote the all-round development of relations between the two countries and armed forces, a senior Chinese military leader said here Thursday.

The close relations and cooperation between China and Thailand and the two armed forces benefit the economies, national defense and common prosperity of both countries, as well as regional and world peace and stability, said Xu Caihou, vice-chairman of China's Central Ministry Commission.

As close neighbors, China and Thailand maintain good relations built on mutual trust, setting an example of close relations for countries of different social systems, Xu said at a meeting with Sampop Amrapala, visiting commander in chief of the Thai Royal Navy.

Xu thanked the Thai government and military for the support to China on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and human rights.

Sampop said the Thai government and armed forces attached great importance to developing friendly relations with China, and the Thai armed forces would continue to promote bilateral exchanges with the Chinese military at all levels.

The Thai government and armed forces will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, he said. Enditem

Related link: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-09/...ent_3493870.htm
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