Funding for the military has not been restricted
Thai Army Turns to Public Donations for Concertina Wire Amid Border Tensions
In a move to expedite the acquisition of concertina wire needed for border security, the Second Army Region has appealed for public donations. This decision comes amidst an urgent need for large quantities of the wire in four provinces (Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Buri Ram), where tensions along the borders persist.
The government has clarified that it has not withheld funding for this request. All budget requests made so far have been fully approved and granted. The Second Army Region opted for public donations because the urgent need for the wire exceeded the usual procurement timelines, which can take at least a month to complete.
The procurement process for such specialized equipment involves lengthy procedures, making it impractical to wait in urgent scenarios. The Second Army Region highlighted the operational urgency and the high demand that exceeds local production capacity. Public donations, therefore, facilitate quicker acquisition to strengthen border defenses immediately.
This decision was not an indication of funding denial or shortage by the government but a pragmatic choice to speed up the availability of concertina wire. The controversy arose due to public concerns about the government's funding for military needs.
The Second Army Region made the request for financial support on their Facebook post on Tuesday. The Royal Thai Army spokesman has confirmed that both the government and the military have sufficient budgets. Requests for additional equipment can be submitted to the armed forces and the army commander.
The concertina wire is needed to help protect Thailand's sovereignty. Recently, a Thai soldier lost a leg due to newly planted landmines allegedly laid by Cambodian forces, underscoring the need for effective border security measures.
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who is also a deputy prime minister and the interior minister, has assured that the government is ready to grant immediate approval if anything is in short supply. He emphasized that the government has never withheld funding from the military.
In addressing public concerns, the acting prime minister stated that whatever has been requested so far, whether budget or personnel, has been fully approved. He reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring the military has the resources it needs to carry out its duties effectively.
[1] Second Army Region's budget requests have been fully approved and granted [2] Public donations facilitate quicker acquisition of concertina wire [3] Urgent need for concertina wire exceeds local production capacity [4] Concertina wire needed to protect Thailand's sovereignty
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