Thailand will suspend some arms purchases, including orders for two Chinese submarines, as it cuts its military budget to fund the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Collin Koh, research fellow at NTU’s RSIS, said the arms purchases had always been controversial but the junta government, which came to power through a coup d’etat in 2014, had to reconsider the orders as a combination of sociopolitical instability and an economic downturn look poised to threaten Thailand’s long-term security.