Thailand has an aircraft carrier without any aircraft

[hhfarang]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/thailand ... 00823.html

[NOKYAI]

Same as the UK then! Last I heard we were going to borrow some from the French for F sake!

[oakdale160]

You farangs are so picky!

[PeteC]

Same as the UK then! Last I heard we were going to borrow some from the French for F sake!

What happened to the Arc Royal (sp)?

[Terry]

Ark Royal went to the knackers yard

We Brits are treating ourselves to two new toys

H.M.S Queen Elizabeth and H.M.S. Prince of Wales

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/queenelizabeth

[usual suspect]

The 'old boys' among us may remember when the Thai navy's aircraft carrier was moored very close to H.H.
It was about 20yrs ago, & it's sole purpose was to bring in water pumps due to H.H. being flooded at that time!
I did not hear the bit that explained how the pumps got ashore..?
(Now this was a story I heard back then from the likes of Billy, Jon Jenkins, & Peter W.)

[oakdale160]

Dare I ask--was money appropriated for buying the planes and has disappeared if so--better shut this thread down.

[PeteC]

What's left of the old Harriers sit at U-Tapao and used as an attraction for the yearly Children's Day open house. Below from Wiki:

" The carrier was designed to operate an air group of up to six AV-8S Matador V/STOL aircraft, plus four to six S-70B Seahawk helicopters.[1][9] Chakri Naruebet is also capable of carrying up to fourteen additional helicopters; a mix of Sikorsky Sea King, Sikorsky S-76, and CH-47 Chinook.[1] There is only enough hangar space for ten aircraft.[4][9]

The Matador is a first generation export version of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, acquired secondhand from the Spanish Navy in 1997.[5][10] The nine Spanish aircraft (seven standard version plus two TAV-8S trainer aircraft) were refurbished by Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA firm before delivery.[10] By 1999, only one aircraft was operational, and the RTN was looking for other first-generation Harriers to cannibalize for spares.[10][11] In 2003, the navy attempted to acquire several second-generation,ex-Royal Navy Sea Harrier FA2 aircraft from British Aerospace, but the deal did not go ahead.[12] The inoperative Matadors were finally eliminated from service lists in 2006.[13] Thailand was the last remaining government using first generation Harrier airframes....."

[oakdale160]

Perhaps I'm dumb but what is the threat. I think the days of Burma attacking Thai are over, Laos and Cambodia do not look like much of a threat and as for China. If they take it into their minds to attack, occupy and conquer Thai--the only question would be--What are they going to do in the afternoon?

[Spitfire]

You would have though that with the military's propensity here for 'face' and prestige that they would have found the funds to make the aircraft carrier work and be properly operational. FFS, they (governments or military here) find the funds for all sorts of ridiculous crap that hits the news...no subjects (and there are many) mentioned.

[europtimiste]

They have an aircraft carrier bought at Spanish navy for a discount price. They have it and they are happy like a child with a new toy.
That's Thai brain at all level.

[Big Boy]

Perhaps I'm dumb but what is the threat. I think the days of Burma attacking Thai are over, Laos and Cambodia do not look like much of a threat and as for China. If they take it into their minds to attack, occupy and conquer Thai--the only question would be--What are they going to do in the afternoon?

It probably depends on the transition to war periodicity, which certainly for Western nations was reckoned as being about 2 years. In that period, I'd assume Thailand would form some major allegiances/call in a few favours, which might turn out to be stepping stones en-route.

Yes, the Chinese have apparently got some decent weapons and a lot of men, but they also have to forge a logistical chain as well. There could be a lot of problems in maintaining that logistical chain.

Of course, Thailand could throw in the towel as in WWII, but of course, they'd see them coming this time. Thailand don't have unsubstantial forces themselves, so it might not be the walkover you expect.

Yes, one on one on a single battlefield, sheer weight of numbers gives it to the Chinese, but it's a lot more complicated than that.

[oakdale160]

Could that be why China is being so 'helpful' in advising and financing a railway from China thru Laos to the Thai border??

[brianks]

Gosh, China wants to be "friends" with Thailand and help build rail infrastructure. Why would you ever suggest that they have ulterior motives?

[Big Boy]

If they put their troops onto a Thai train, they'd be late for the war