Asia PR News

WASHINGTON, April 26 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ –

Thailand’s Military is Sucking Money Away from Public Health

Thailand’s Ministry of Health recently launched a movement to steal
American technology by issuing "compulsory licenses" for patented medical
innovations. The Minister of Health, Mongkol na Songkhla, installed after the
military took control of Thailand’s government in September 2006, claims that
he cannot afford U.S. medicines. News coverage since the military coup in
September indicates that Thailand has plenty of new funds for projects - those
projects simply do not include public health.

- The Thai National Legislative Assembly Increased Military Spending By
Almost 50 Percent For Fiscal Year 2007. "The National Legislative
Assembly (NLA) passed, in its first reading, the Defence [sic]
Ministry’s proposed 2007 budget of Bt115 billion, an almost 50 percent
increase over fiscal 2006." ("Military Now Has To Shape Up," The
[Thailand] Nation, 12/8/06)

- Overall, The Thai Government Will Spend About $3.2 Billion On Its
Military. "The special legislative committee vetting the 2007 Budget
Bill Monday agreed to allocate 115 billion baht (3.2 billion U.S.
dollars) for Thai military spending without any alterations, committee
spokesman Preecha Watcharapai said." ("3.2 Billion USD Budget Approved
For Thai Military Spending," Xinhua General News Service, 12/11/06)

- The Military Budget Does Not Include New Arms Which, According To A
Spokesman, Will Be Funded From Diverting Money "From Low Priority
Projects." "The approved budget did not include additional allocations
for new arms, [Watcharapai] said, noting that the military has yet to
specify the money needed for arms procurement. The additional
allocations, if approved, will not impact on the total spending as
funds would be diverted from low priority projects, he said." ("3.2
Billion USD Budget Approved For Thai Military Spending," Xinhua General
News Service, 12/11/06)

- About Two-Thirds Of Thailand’s Military Spending Pays For Salaries In
Its "Top-Heavy Structure." "Between them, the Army, Navy and Air Force
have hundreds of desk-bound generals, admirals and air marshals who
have no real job to do. Such a top-heavy structure explains why the
military is spending up to 60-70 percent of its total budget on
salaries, leaving little to upgrade weapon systems or to maintain a
high level of battle-readiness." ("Military Now Has To Shape Up," The
[Thailand] Nation, 12/8/06)

- "The Junta Has Also Formed Its Own 14,000-Strong Security Force Outside
That Budget, At A Cost Of 15 Million Dollars." ("Winners And Losers Six
Months After Thai Coup," Agence France Presse, 3/18/07)

- Committee Spokesman Preecha Watcharapai: "The Defense Ministry Will
Receive Its Full Budget As Per Its Request …" ("3.2 Billion USD
Budget Approved For Thai Military Spending," Xinhua General News
Service, 12/11/06)

- The [Thailand] Nation: "Lacking Funds Is The Least Of The Problems
Compared To The Bloated Bureaucracy That The Armed Forces Have Become."
("Military Now Has To Shape Up," The [Thailand] Nation, 12/8/06)

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