Bangkok: The Royal Thai Army has confirmed it has not yet received any formal proposals to engage in the "Smart Agricultural Drone" project. The statement comes as the Second Army Region disclosed it has merely been gathering information regarding the initiative.
According to Thai News Agency, a recent photo surfaced on the Second Army Area's Facebook page showing a representative from Capital Trust Group Limited meeting with Second Army Area Commander Lt. Gen. Boonsin Phadklang. The meeting involved the submission of documents for the "AgriTech Drone Digital Bond" project, valued at US$30 billion. The initiative aims to acquire one million smart agricultural drones in Thailand, with the goal of training soldiers in drone usage to boost agricultural skills. This development has triggered widespread public scrutiny.
Army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvari has corroborated with the Second Army Area Command, confirming that the meeting was solely for the purpose of receiving project details and relevant proposals. He noted some initial concerns regarding the project's substantial budget and the actual needs of farmers. Emphasis was placed on evaluating the project's feasibility, including its potential benefits to the personnel and the nation.
While the company's proposal to the Second Army Region focuses on training to advance personnel skills and knowledge, the relationship between government agencies and the private sector is subject to various interpretations. The Second Army Region's involvement has become a focal point of public interest.
The Army spokesman reiterated that no decision has been made to participate in the project. The Army intends to thoroughly assess all information before deciding on any future actions.