Reference
·Primary source
Thailand Ministry of Defence budget (2020-2024)
~USD 5.5B (2024)
Thailand's Ministry of Defence (MoD) appropriation has hovered near USD 5.3-5.7 billion through the early 2020s, equating to roughly 1.1-1.3% of GDP, per Bureau of the Budget annual budget documents and SIPRI Military Expenditure Database. The 2020 budget peaked around USD 7.3B before COVID-era reprioritisation cut subsequent appropriations. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) ranks Thailand the second largest ASEAN defence spender after Singapore. Royal Thai Army receives the largest single-service share at roughly 45-50% of the budget, followed by the Royal Thai Air Force and Royal Thai Navy.
Figure in context
Thailand's Ministry of Defence (MoD) appropriation has hovered near USD 5.3-5.7 billion through the early 2020s, equating to roughly 1.1-1.3% of GDP, per Bureau of the Budget annual budget documents and SIPRI Military Expenditure Database. The 2020 budget peaked around USD 7.3B before COVID-era reprioritisation cut subsequent appropriations. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) ranks Thailand the second largest ASEAN defence spender after Singapore. Royal Thai Army receives the largest single-service share at roughly 45-50% of the budget, followed by the Royal Thai Air Force and Royal Thai Navy.
Interpretation notes
What this tells you
Thailand's Ministry of Defence (MoD) appropriation has hovered near USD 5.3-5.7 billion through the early 2020s, equating to roughly 1.1-1.3% of GDP, per Bureau of the Budget annual budget documents and SIPRI Military Expenditure Database. The 2020 budget peaked around USD 7.3B before COVID-era reprioritisation cut subsequent appropriations. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) ranks Thailand the second largest ASEAN defence spender after Singapore. Royal Thai Army receives the largest single-service share at roughly 45-50% of the budget, followed by the Royal Thai Air Force and Royal Thai Navy.
What not to do with it
Values in USD billions at current exchange rates. SIPRI converts THB nominal appropriations using period-average market rates; 2024 figure reflects the THB 198.3B appropriation under the FY2024 Budget Act.
Related figures
Adjacent numbers that add context without drowning the value.
MoD budget allocation by service branch
Thailand Bureau of the Budget FY2024 Budget Act, Defence News service breakdowns, IISS Military Balance
Saab Gripen E/F Thailand fighter contract value (proposed)
Saab AB Q3 2024 investor briefing, Royal Thai Air Force selection announcement, Bangkok Post defence coverage
Royal Thai Army armoured vehicle fleet (selected platforms)
IISS Military Balance 2024, Royal Thai Army announcements, US DSCA Foreign Military Sales notification archive
Defence Technology Institute (DTI) R&D appropriation (2020-2024)
Defence Technology Institute annual reports, Thailand Bureau of the Budget DTI line item, Janes Defence Industry
Thailand defence equipment imports vs domestic share
SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, Janes Defence Industry, DTI annual report, Chaiseri Defence company disclosures
U-Tapao Aerospace MRO project (EEC anchor)
EEC Office project disclosures, Thai Airways rehabilitation plan, Bangkok Post aerospace MRO coverage
Report context
Atlas actors in this figure's reports
Profiles covered in the report that cite this number.