Lawmaker Urges PM to Halt Chinese Tank Sales to Cambodia

Speaking at parliament on July 17, 2569, at 11:40 a.m., Wasawat Phuangpornphisai, a list-based MP and leader of Thai Ruam Phalang Party serving as a special budget committee member, criticized irregularities in the Defense Ministry's equipment and armament procurement budget for fiscal 2570. He objected to spending on air-conditioned office improvements such as guest gifts, electrical charging equipment, and solar panels on office buildings when such upgrades are not urgent. He urged redirecting those funds to border soldiers instead.

Wasawat noted that even allocated border budgets are insufficient. Frontline troop strength has dropped dramatically—in some areas from 20 soldiers to just 4—and infrastructure like roads remain incomplete. While the military requested some 600 million baht from the central budget for 2568–2569 to develop border roads, water, and electricity, the Suranari Task Force received only around 100 million baht despite being the main force on the frontline.

"I work in Ubon Ratchathani province and have witnessed these problems firsthand," Wasawat said. "Instead of spending on phone chargers and foreign guest gifts, wouldn't it be better to help these frontline soldiers earning only 240 baht in allowances? We even have phantom soldiers—names on the roster but not actually on duty." He also raised concerns about the navy's 2,686 million baht submarine purchase from China as part of a total 13,000 million baht submarine acquisition, while China simultaneously supplies 40 T-59D tanks to Cambodia.

Wasawat called this an opportune moment for the Prime Minister and Deputy PM Phumtham to pressure Chinese President Xi Jinping to suspend tank deliveries to Cambodia during the PM's current China visit. He urged creative diplomacy rather than passive acceptance, noting that Cambodia lacks naval capabilities comparable to ground forces. He recommended the committee suspend the submarine budget pending review, and criticized the Defense Ministry for cutting all units' budgets while paradoxically increasing AI funding—a move he called misaligned with border security needs. Wasawat emphasized he speaks from firsthand observation, not for attention, citing instances where Thai soldiers still repair bunkers with rubber sheets while Cambodian troops probe the border.