Thai caretaker prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai has denied social media reports that the US is looking to establish a naval base in Phang Nga province, southern Thailand, as part of tax talks on Thai exports to the US market.
Mr. Phumtham affirmed that during the negotiation process to reduce the expected tax rate of 36% on some Thai goods, there was no content related to the use of a naval base in Phang Nga. He also said that US naval vessels are now allowed to use this base under a cooperation agreement between the two navels.
A source from the Royal Thai Navy also stressed that foreign naval vessels, including the US, are allowed to dock at the naval base in the Thap Lamamu area of Phang Nga province under current agreements. The source confirmed that there had been no proposal to convert the base into a US military base.
Thailand currently does not allow any country to establish a permanent military base in its territory. However, under the bilateral logistics support agreement, US ships can still visit bases such as Phang Nga for supply, fuel or rest.
In addition to Phang Nga, other bases such as Sattahip (Chonburi), Songkhlao and U-Tapao airport are also within the logistical support area. In particular, the U-Tapao is used so regularly that it sees like an American base, the source said.
Not only the US Navy, ma also mals of other allies are allowed to dock and use Thai naval bases under similar agreements.
A source from the Thai Navy concluded that the current logistical support agreements are sufficient to meet the needs of defense cooperation and there are no plans to change sovereign policies in the military sector.
