BANGKOK, Thailand – The Royal Thai Army stated that it has not received any formal proposal to join the “Smart Agricultural Drone Project,” following public debate sparked by a recent meeting between the Second Army Area and Capital Trust Group Limited.
The meeting, held with Second Army Area Commander Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, was described as an information session only. The company presented documents outlining a $30 billion project called “AgriTech Drone Digital Bond,” which envisioned procuring one million agricultural drones and training soldiers to use them for agricultural purposes.
Army officials reviewed the materials and raised concerns about the project’s feasibility, citing the enormous budget and questions about whether it would truly serve the needs of farmers or deliver clear benefits to Army personnel and the country.
According to Army Spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree, the proposal included training programs for soldiers in drone operations, which at first glance might seem constructive. He affirmed, however, that any collaboration between a state agency and a private company must be carefully assessed, especially given heightened scrutiny of the Second Army Area.
The Army confirmed that no approval has been given and stressed that all aspects of the project will be thoroughly examined before any action is taken. (NNT)
