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dpa
Bangkok
Thailand has no immediate plans to buy war weapons and military equipment from the United States, the Thai junta said on Tuesday, responding to media reports about planned purchases of US armaments.
"They are too expensive and we don't have a sufficient budget," said Prawit Wongsuwan, deputy prime minister and defence minister.
Prawit's remarks were in response to media reports on~military procurement plans to be finalised ahead of a meeting between Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and US President Donald Trump, scheduled for late July in Washington.
In a phone call in May, Trump invited Prayut to the White House, a sign of improved bilateral relations according to political analysts. The Thai leader accepted the invitation, but the date has not yet been finalised.
The US downgraded its diplomatic and military relations with Thailand, one of US's oldest allies~in Asia, after a May 2014 coup.
According to Prawit, Thailand hopes to gain more military assistance from the US from the meeting with Trump.
Although there is no immediate plan to purchase US armaments, Thailand will welcome any offers for discounts, especially for Black Hawk helicopters, which the Thai army is eyeing, Prawit said.
In recent years, Thailand has sought to rely more on China in terms of trade, transport, and defence equipment.
Last month, the Thai navy purchased a submarine from China for 13.5 billion~baht (392.8 million dollars) with a plan to purchase two more.
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28/06/2017
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