Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon led a delegation of the Thai military's top brass on a visit to Beijing on Wednesday, with Chinese-made armaments, and possibly submarines, believed high on the agenda for talks.
Gen Prawit said before his departure it was a reciprocal visit and will end on Friday. Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan visited Thailand in February.
In China, Gen Prawit said, he would discuss joint military exercises and there might be some presentations of Chinese-made weapons for the delegation to view.
Asked if this might include a submarine, Gen Prawit said that in principle, Thailand should have submarines but procurement would tie up the national budget for about five years because the country could not afford a single-payment purchase.
A source said the navy has plans to spend about 36 billion baht on two submarines, and was looking at vessels on offer from China, Germany and South Korea.
Asked if his trip to China and the simultaneous visit of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev showed that Thailand was turning to these two world powers and away from the United States, Gen Prawit said the government was ready to cooperate with all countries.
"Do not raise this as an issue. This is a coincidence. My trip to China is on Defence Ministry business has nothing to do with the prime minister's meeting. We acknowledge visits and we would like to visit all countries. I confirm we are neutral," Gen Prawit said.
In China, his delegation -- which includes the supreme commander and chiefs of the three armed forces -- will meet Xu Qiliang, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission, Meng Jianzhu, secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and Chinese Vice Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli.