Bangkok: The Royal Thai Navy has reaffirmed that there are no predetermined specifications favoring any company in the construction of its new frigates. While the first and second ships will be considered separately, they must be capable of joint operations, ensuring the fleet's strategic compatibility.
According to Thai News Agency, the Royal Thai Navy is preparing to allow companies that were not selected to build the frigates to appeal the decision. The Navy has disclosed that no private companies have filed complaints since the shipbuilding company's selection was announced. The Navy is ready to clarify the situation once the authorized person signs off on the selection, emphasizing that there were no "rigged specifications," with six bidders involved, surpassing the minimum requirement of three under the Public Procurement Act.
Rear Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, addressed Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen's visit to the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters. The Minister of Defence inquired about the challenges in procuring equipment to enhance capabilities in alignment with the armed forces' strategic plan, focusing on the frigate and submarine projects.
To meet the Royal Thai Navy's needs, a total of four frigates will be acquired, with the second frigate scheduled for 2028. Preparations are ongoing to announce the selected bidder for the frigate project under the 2026 budget. Relevant commanders have been notified, and the Navy is ready to clarify to the winning bidder if needed.
Regarding the submarine project, the Royal Thai Navy clarified that construction is underway, with a planned launch in 2027 and delivery scheduled for early 2029.
When questioned about granting a single company the right to build all four frigates, the Ministry of Defence spokesperson explained that the high costs of each ship make approving all four at once challenging. The process will follow established procedures, with each ship considered separately.
Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, explained that the navy plans to acquire four frigates to replace those being decommissioned. Currently, the navy operates four high-performance frigates, including a high-performance corvette. The decommissioning of HTMS Rattanakosin and two more frigates will leave only one remaining.
The 2026 budget frigate will be the second in the fleet, bringing the total to four. The navy aims to request more vessels, as outlined in the white paper, ideally up to eight, to patrol the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, safeguarding shipping routes.
The consideration of the 2026 budget frigate is a separate process, but joint operation is necessary. The offset policy and strategic requirements guide the procurement, ensuring interoperability within the fleet.
No private companies have filed complaints since the announcement of the conclusion. The appeal process will begin after authorization, and the Royal Thai Navy is open to appeals according to the law. The Navy will explain its selection reasons to those not chosen, with explanations submitted to the Ministry of Finance.
Addressing allegations of a rigged selection process, the Navy spokesperson denied such claims. He noted that the government procurement process requires a minimum of three bidders, and 11 companies were invited. Six companies submitted proposals by the March 21, 2026 deadline, demonstrating transparency and refuting any claims of predetermined specifications.