Thai military plans hefty shopping list

The military-appointed government has already approved the 6.7 billion baht ($200 million) purchase of Israeli guns, Ukrainian armoured vehicles and Chinese missiles.

Last month, the air force said it planned to buy six Swedish-made Gripen fighters for 19.5 billion baht, with a second batch of six to be reviewed by the new government.

High on the navy's wish list is a submarine to patrol the Andaman Sea and for joint patrols of the Malacca Strait with Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.

The Navy's first submarine would cost more than 40 billion baht, Pitsanu said, and join a Thai fleet that includes southeast Asia's first aircraft carrier.

The Spanish-built Chakri Naruebet cost $230 million when Thailand took delivery in 1997, but high operating costs have kept it mostly in port.

($1 = 33.80 baht)

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; editing by Darren Schuettler)