bodyType

customContents

entityId

printArticlePageQuery

filter

article

body

urlAlias

articleSectionsContent

articleSeoArticle

articleSourceHeaderArticle

contentSchemaRenderContent

contentSubHeadlineContent

contentHeadlineContent

mainImagePrintArticleArticle

authorBlockPrintArticleArticle

contentSponsorTagContent

articlePianoPaywallContent

scmpYoutubeContent

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

query printArticlePageQuery(
  $entityId: String!
  $customContents: [CustomContentInput]
  $bodyType: BodyFormatTypeEnum
) {
  article(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
      json
    }
    urlAlias
    ...articleSectionsContent
    ...articleSeoArticle_3o8td4
    ...articleSourceHeaderArticle
    ...contentSchemaRenderContent
    ...contentSubHeadlineContent
    ...contentHeadlineContent
    ...mainImagePrintArticleArticle
    ...authorBlockPrintArticleArticle
    ...contentSponsorTagContent
    ...articlePianoPaywallContent
    ...scmpYoutubeContent
    ...hooksTrackPageViewArticle
    id
  }
}

fragment articlePianoPaywallContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksPaywallPromiseContent
}

fragment articleSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      name
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment articleSeoArticle_3o8td4 on Article {
  ...hooksArticleSeoArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersGetArticleTypeArticle
  entityId
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
  summary {
    text
  }
  subHeadline {
    text
  }
  body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
    text
  }
  keywords
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  topics {
    name
    entityId
    id
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  images {
    style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  readingTime
}

fragment articleSourceHeaderArticle on Article {
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
}

fragment authorBlockPrintArticleArticle on Article {
  ...defaultArticleDateContent
  ...authorNamesArticle
}

fragment authorNameAuthor on Author {
  ...entityLink
  name
  entityUuid
}

fragment authorNamesArticle on Article {
  authorLocations
  authors {
    entityId
    location
    ...authorNameAuthor
    id
  }
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sections {
    value {
      relatedNewsletters {
        ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
        id
      }
      id
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment defaultArticleDateContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksArticleDateUtilsContent
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on Section {
  name
}

fragment helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle on Article {
  entityId
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  disableOffPlatformContent
  sponsorType
  published
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    paywallTypes {
      entityUuid
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        entityId
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment hooksArticleDateUtilsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  createdDate
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
}

fragment hooksArticleSeoArticle on Article {
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle
  entityId
  headline
  socialHeadline
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
  images {
    generic_og: style(filter: {style: "og_image_scmp_generic"}) {
      url
    }
    styles(filter: {styles: ["og_image_posties_article", "og_postmag", "og_image_style", "og_image_scmp_analysis", "og_image_scmp_explainer", "og_image_scmp_editorial", "og_image_scmp_fact_check", "og_image_scmp_debate", "og_image_scmp_live", "og_image_scmp_obituary", "og_image_scmp_opinion", "og_image_scmp_review", "og_image_scmp_series", "og_image_scmp_generic"]}) {
      url
      style
    }
    type
  }
  urlAlias
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksPaywallPromiseContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment hooksTrackPageViewArticle on Article {
  entityId
  publishedDate
  headline
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  entityUuid
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment mainImagePrintArticleArticle on Article {
  images {
    title
    url
    isSlideshow
    size_652x446: style(filter: {style: "652x446"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}


sections

types

disableOffPlatformContent

sponsorType

published

headline

socialHeadline

authors

images

publishedDate

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

keywords

topics

readingTime

authorLocations

entityUuid

SCMP’s Asia desk

China’s 13.5 billion-baht (US$392 million) deal to build a submarine for Thailand was hailed in 2017 as one of the centrepieces of Beijing’s defence export plans. But the deal has appeared increasingly in limbo in recent months because of the manufacturer’s inability to obtain German-made diesel engines as stipulated in the contract.
The reason? Germany is limiting the export of defence technology to China, citing a European Union embargo first imposed in 1989 in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Certain exports from European nations have been allowed in the past, but it appears the rules are being more strictly enforced this time around.
A German official in the country’s Thai embassy said in February that Beijing had failed to coordinate with Berlin before signing the 2017 contract.

The first of three diesel-electric S26T submarines with German-made MTU engines that Thailand ordered from China was set to arrive in 2024. Given the snag related to the supply of engines, that delivery date is likely to be delayed.
Opposition politicians in Thailand have called for the submarine deal to be scrapped, claiming that it would be in the nation’s best interests given the EU embargo.
Thailand’s Chinese submarine order hits snag after German export embargo
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s government, meanwhile, has struggled to defend the deal, which continues to be the subject of strident public criticism, with many questioning if such exorbitant defence expenditure was needed following the economic pain caused by the pandemic.
Observers say the deal is unlikely to be scrapped, but the saga has brought fresh scrutiny of Beijing and Bangkok’s diplomatic and security ties.
Here’s are the key things you need to know about the troubled deal:
Why does Thailand need submarines?
The Thai navy said in 2020 – three years after the first deal with Chinese state-owned conglomerate China Shipbuilding & Offshore International had been signed – that the submarines would help protect Thailand’s estimated 24 trillion baht (US$697 billion) in maritime interests and increase strategic leverage at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea.
It offered this clarification then amid a growing public backlash after a parliamentary subcommittee had approved the purchase of another two submarines.
The navy said the submarines would operate in the Andaman Sea to the west and Gulf of Thailand to the east. It said their purchase was necessary as other Southeast Asian nations – including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore – had submarines of their own.

Why buy Chinese submarines?
Because China offered a good deal, according to the Thai navy. The submarines were on sale at a discount – three for the price of two – with an extended quality guarantee; communications and combat systems such as torpedoes and guided missiles pre-installed; and training programmes for Thai personnel thrown in as part of the package.
The 36 billion baht price tag (US$1.05 billion) was set to be paid in instalments until 2027, but Thailand’s navy last year withdrew a request to parliament for the budget to pay for the second two submarines – costing 22.5 billion baht in total – citing the pandemic and the country’s battered economy.
Thailand also considered offers made by Germany, South Korea, Russia, Sweden and France for two submarines, but found China’s offer to sell three for the price of two “irresistible”, according to Termsak Chalermpalanupap, visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

What does it mean for China?
The submarine deal came at a time when Thailand was leaning closer to China following the 2014 coup that brought former army chief Prayuth to power. He told reporters in April that Bangkok-Beijing ties would not be affected if the contract was cancelled, saying that both sides had been working closely to reach a solution.
“Both Thailand and China will be keen for the submarine deal to go ahead,” said Ian Storey, a senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. “Thailand is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia that doesn’t operate submarines and has wanted to acquire subsurface military capabilities for decades in order to keep up with its neighbours. Even Myanmar operates two submarines today.”
China will want the deal to proceed because arms sales have become an increasingly important component of its defence diplomacy in Asia
Ian Storey, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute
In December, Beijing transferred the second-hand Chinese-manufactured submarine UMS Minye Kyaw Htin to Myanmar, a year after the latter received a Kilo-class submarine from India.
“China will want the deal [with Thailand] to proceed because arms sales have become an increasingly important component of its defence diplomacy in Asia,” Storey said. “If it falls through, it will be bad publicity for China’s arms industry.”
Paul Chambers, a Southeast Asia security specialist at Thailand’s Naresuan University, described the submarines as “military surplus” and said the deal “represents an aspect of maintaining close neighbourly military relations and military diplomacy”.
What happens next?
Thailand’s navy said in February that it intended to resolve the engine issue through discussions with the Chinese state-owned shipbuilder. No date has been given for when those discussions will conclude, however.
Observers have suggested China could transfer second-hand submarines to Thailand by way of compensation – a scenario that has been discussed in the local media without any confirmation from the Thai navy.
Meanwhile, opposition politicians have questioned whether China or Thailand were even aware of Germany’s embargo policy at the time the 2017 deal was signed. The Thai navy earlier stated that China Shipbuilding & Offshore International must comply with the contract which specified the use of the German-made MTU engines.
Thailand delays hit China’s Southeast Asian high-speed railway ambitions
“If China offers Thailand two refurbished submarines Bangkok is likely to reject it because it wants new submarines not second-hand ones,” Storey said, pointing to the fact that such an offer had already been rejected “some years ago”.
“One option would be for China to offer the Thais the more advanced engines it uses in its Type 039A/041 Yuan-class subs,” he said. “China has not previously exported these engines, but it may have to bite the bullet or risk losing the sale altogether. If the Thais do decide to cancel the order they should be entitled to compensation, subject to the provisions in the contract.”
Chambers, however, said the submarine deal would likely be kept – especially “if the Chinese reduce the price heavily or throw in some other military hardware” as compensation.
“The deal is very unpopular in Thailand so if Prayuth scraps it, it might help his popularity,” he said. “But Prayuth is an ex-military official. He and the military want the submarines. My guess is that they will wait until after the election to purchase them again: either cheaper or alongside other Chinese military hardware.”


Thailand’s Chinese submarine deal: why is it stuck in limbo, and will it go ahead?

A Chinese Type 039A  Yuan class submarine, of which the S26T is variant. Photo: Twitter

A model of a Yuan class S-26T submarine of the type Thailand ordered from China. Photo: Handout

A Chinese Type 039A Yuan class submarine, of which the S26T is variant. Photo: Twitter

Malaysia’s first submarine, the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, seen near Port Klang outside Kuala Lumpur in 2009. Photo: Reuters

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha shakes hands with China’s President Xi Jinping in 2016. Photo: AFP

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Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s government has struggled to defend the US$1.05 billion deal for three Chinese submarines at a time of economic hardship
Opposition politicians have called for it to be scrapped. But observers say that is unlikely, in the interests of ‘maintaining close neighbourly relations’


Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s government has struggled to defend the US$1.05 billion deal for three Chinese submarines at a time of economic hardship.


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Explainer | Thailand’s Chinese submarine deal: why is it stuck in limbo, and will it go ahead?