BriefingAsia-Pacific

Does Thailand’s Chinese Submarine Purchase Really Signal U.S. Drift?

A Royal Thai navy Riverine Patrol Regiment participates in riverine operation exercises during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012, May 19, 2012 (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Aaron Glover).
A Royal Thai navy Riverine Patrol Regiment participates in riverine operation exercises during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012, May 19, 2012 (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Aaron Glover).
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Free Newsletter

In late June, the Thai navy told reporters it had elected to buy three submarines from China. The billion-dollar purchase has yet to be officially finalized, and specifics regarding the decision remain murky. While the deal will move Bangkok one step closer to acquiring a capability it has lacked for more than six decades, it has become caught in a broader debate about Thailand’s perceived drift away from the United States and toward China following a coup last year. Thailand’s submarine quest is neither new nor surprising. The country has lacked a submarine capability since 1951 and has tried since […]

TO READ MORE

Enter your email to get instant access to this article and to receive our free email newsletter:

Or, Subscribe now to get full access.

Already a subscriber? Log in here .

What you’ll get with an All-Access subscription to World Politics Review:

A WPR subscription is like no other resource — it’s like having your own personal researcher and analyst for news and events around the globe. Become a member now, and you’ll get:

  • Immediate and instant access to the full searchable library of 15,000+ articles
  • Daily articles with original analysis, written by leading topic experts, delivered to you every weekday
  • Daily links to must-read news, analysis, and opinion from top sources around the globe, curated by our keen-eyed team of editors
  • Weekly in-depth reports, including features on important countries and issues.
  • Your choice of weekly region-specific newsletters, delivered to your inbox.
  • Smartphone- and tablet-friendly website.

And all of this is available to you — right now for just $1 for the first 3 months.

BEGIN YOUR WPR SUBSCRIPTION NOW

More World Politics Review