Anupong ready for probe into airship as criticism mounts

[rooster59]

Anupong ready for probe into airship as criticism mounts

By THE NATION

 

 

INTERIOR MINISTER General Anupong Paojinda said yesterday he was ready for a probe along with concerned parties into the alleged wasteful spending on a Bt350-million airship procured for surveillance in the Deep South during his term as Army chief.

 

The probe could focus on the airship’s efficiency and on corruption, if any, he added.

 

The former Army chief said he was in favour of the procurement being investigated amid mounting allegations after the Army announced plans on Thursday to decommission the airship, citing its expiration date.

 

Critics have said the airship is a graphic example of wasteful military procurement, exemplified by the purchase of handheld bomb detectors from Britain that proved to be useless. 

 

The airship project was procured for a total budget of Bt350 million. Anupong claimed that the camera and ground communications equipment alone cost Bt250 million.

 

The airship was commissioned in 2009 but it suffered a leak and had to be refilled with expensive helium. It was subsequently parked in a hangar at the 15th Infantry Division in Pattani province’s Nong Chik district. 

 

When Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha was Army chief, a firm was hired to provide maintenance for the airship for an additional Bt50 million a year, after which it was subsequently used sporadically. However, there was additional criticism that the airship flew lower than was safe, making it an easy target, so it was eventually put in storage again until its term of operations expired.

 

Army commander-in-chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart said at a press conference on Thursday that the airship had reached the end of its term of operations because it was made of canvas, but the accompanying surveillance camera system could still be used. However, the Army did not plan to buy a new airship to replace the old one.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30326808

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-09-16

[Samui Bodoh]

21 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The probe could focus on the airship’s efficiency and on corruption, if any, he added.

 

Why don't you focus on the idiotic decision to buy the thing?

 

Oh yeah, the decision-maker from that time is currently PM...

 

So much for this inquiry.

[George Bowman]

The bullseye says it all.

[tracker1]

I think this enquiry won't go to far and the result will be a very favourable one at that if ever completed !

[fforest1]

When does the probe into the shady purchase of the useless submarines 

start?.....

[smedly]

35 minutes ago, fforest1 said:

When does the probe into the shady purchase of the useless submarines 

start?.....

and the ridiculous tax rises that are starting today to pay for them amongst other things.

 

having this military PM/government is like a parent giving their 6 year old total control of the family budget - they are not going to be shopping in Tesco, it will be the nearest toy shop

[johng]

[Eric Loh]

The investigation will be lead by a commission consisting of ex military generals or the NACC or the AG. No negligence and case close. Pigs will fly past my window if he was found guilty and have his assets seized. 

[mtls2005]

Time for a new coat of military-grade Teflon.

 

So who approved the GT200 "bomb detectors"?

 

Wait for it..."Thailand’s army chief at the time was Anupong Paojinda".

 

Amazed they can't figure out a way to pin this on those pesky Shinwatras.

 

 

[klauskunkel]

Are you kidding me? A Blimp? What kind of generals are you, huh?A t least camouflage it with the Goodyear logo, not with a bullseye.

You could have gotten one of those for a discount:

meet the SR 71 Blackbird

 

the fastest plane on the planet and good looking, too. I bet you, it could find Yingluck for you, hell, if you'd had already, she wouldn't have fled in the first place!

 

...but then I read the small print:

14. To work on the plane as a crew member, you needed to be between the ages of 25 and 40, be married and be “emotionally stable.”

 

 

 

 

 

[worgeordie]

Maybe he needs to be "probed" by one of those useless bomb

detectors he bought.I think they need to open a Museum of 

past corruption and failed projects,and have one of those signs

above the door,with the increasing losses to Thailand,like the

one in Times square for the increasing debt of the U S A 

 

They could have a nice display of bomb detectors,put the Blimp

tethered to the roof,model of the aircraft carrier,a few rotting 

fire engines parked outside,a scale model of the water treatment plant,

etc,ect, leave some space to display the Submarine,which will be

redundant in a few years after it arrives.BUT would the Thai people

show interest,I would say the majority don't care,as unable to see

the big picture, it's their money that is been wasted.

regards worgeordie

[tigermoth]

Unbelievable. Another example of someone lining their pockets at the expense of the people. Aircraft carrier, mine detectors, submarine bases and soon to be accompanied by the subs themselves. I am sure there are many more examples. No wonder they have to increase taxes. A government for the people by the people, a fantasy in which finding a billion dollars washed up amongst the other debris on the beach has better odds.

[tigermoth]

37 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Maybe he needs to be "probed" by one of those useless bomb

detectors he bought.I think they need to open a Museum of 

past corruption and failed projects,and have one of those signs

above the door,with the increasing losses to Thailand,like the

one in Times square for the increasing debt of the U S A 

 

They could have a nice display of bomb detectors,put the Blimp

tethered to the roof,model of the aircraft carrier,a few rotting 

fire engines parked outside,a scale model of the water treatment plant,

etc,ect, leave some space to display the Submarine,which will be

redundant in a few years after it arrives.BUT would the Thai people

show interest,I would say the majority don't care,as unable to see

the big picture, it's their money that is been wasted.

regards worgeordie

You would be surprised how many of the Thai people are aware and do not like what is happening. They are a gentle race but won't take much more nonsense before an eruption occurs.

[worgeordie]

1 minute ago, tigermoth said:

You would be surprised how many of the Thai people are aware and do not like what is happening. They are a gentle race but won't take much more nonsense before an eruption occurs.

The eruption is a very long time coming,as this has been going on 

for umpteen years,decades,what's it going to take ? everybody is

AWARE of what ,has happened,is happening,and ........the majority

seem more interested who's bonking who,on Facebook,or signs

of winning lottery numbers.

 

regards Worgeordie

[PETERTHEEATER]

Be fair. The purchase price was kept low by specifying canvas covering instead of an expensive gas impervious skin. That's why the helium kept leaking out. They could have substituted hydrogen gas for the expensive helium but they couldn't stop the airship climbing out of sight.

 

That's my theory anyway

[smedly]

28 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Be fair. The purchase price was kept low by specifying canvas covering instead of an expensive gas impervious skin. That's why the helium kept leaking out. They could have substituted hydrogen gas for the expensive helium but they couldn't stop the airship climbing out of sight.

 

That's my theory anyway

ha ha Thailands first men in orbit 

[natway09]

We tried, but could not find any one to fly it properly

[jayboy]

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/oag-urged-probe-air-ship-gt200-bomb-detectors-set-precedent-procurement-standard/

 

Maybe I'm going out on a limb here but I'm guessing this potential investigation will promptly be booted straight into touch.These pesky politicians don't realize that the good people are by definition completely incorruptible.

[nong38]

How will they able to reach North Korea now?

[Media1]

Need a top western educated Thai running the nation. A real cabinet and no army. Go back to barracks we will call you about security not about spending the people's money lol.

[wakeupplease]

GT200 + Airship purchased off a doggy website = money in someones back pocket and we all know how who that someone was, the same guy who said the GT200 worked but staff where either too tired or not trained to use it. That was about the time the UK government jailed the guy who sold it to the General and others for 10 years for fraud.

 

Thats what happens here and they get away with it.

[wakeupplease]

1 hour ago, nong38 said:

How will they able to reach North Korea now?

Na he will be off to China