The official 2007 budget for Thailand is expected to win approval from the National Legislative Assembly in December. The allocation for defence spending will be 115 billion baht, increased by some 29 billion baht or 33.8%, compared to 86 billion in 2006.

The Defense Ministry has also requested the government to end barter trade defence deals, which were introduced last year. Barter deals for defence technology and equipment were sometimes difficult to complete and some items could only be acquired from states that were not able to comply with such regulations.

The increase in defence spending bodes well for the upcoming Defense & Security 2007 exhibition being held in Bangkok next November.