Thai air force transceiver deal raises concerns over inflated costs

[snoop1130]

 

A lawmaker from the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party (TST) raised the alarm over a plan to procure digital transceivers by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), alleging that the proposed price significantly exceeds the market value.

 

An MP for Roi Et with TST, Chatchawan Paettayathai revealed that the RTAF‘s Directorate of Communications and Electronics plans to purchase 40 Jotron TR-7750 digital transceivers at 956,250 baht per unit, totalling 38.25 million baht.

 

Addressing a House meeting on the budget for the next fiscal year, Chatchawan expressed his concerns, noting that a basic online search indicates the quoted price is more than twice the actual market price.

 

According to Chatchawan, the same model can be found online for just 367,500 baht per unit, implying that 40 units should cost approximately 14.7 million baht, before further arguing that buying in bulk could reduce the price even more.

 

“Based on the information I’ve received and verified if the RTAF’s purchase plan is approved, the country stands to lose at least 23.55 million baht… the question is, who will benefit from the price difference?”

 

Chatchawan called on RTAF commander ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul and other senior officials to justify their decision to select a vendor offering the transceivers at such a high price.

 

Furthermore, he criticised the procurement plan, asserting that it demonstrates the armed forces‘ lack of commitment to sourcing weapons and ammunition from local manufacturers, contrary to government policy, reported Bangkok Post.

 

By Ryan Turner

Image courtesy of Asian Military Review

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-06-25

 

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[Tropicalevo]

And the minister of defence says..........

[JoePai]

15 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

And the minister of defence says..........

Need to renew their cars this year ?

[BobBKK]

This is unfair - you have to look at the whole price:

Salesman = 100,000
Marketing = 100,000

Transport = 100,000

Inspection = 100,000

Entertainment = 100,000

Travel = 100,000
Contingencies = 100,000

Transceivers = 256.250

Total = 956,250

[mokwit]

In fairness, it was probably nothing to do with them, more likely they agreed a price and the offshore agent they appointed marked up the price (if you know what I mean).

[DeputyDog]

No doubt the quote from RTAF will be "Just a Misunderstanding"... Thailand the HUB of Misunderstandings...

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Addressing a House meeting on the budget for the next fiscal year, Chatchawan expressed his concerns, noting that a basic online search indicates the quoted price is more than twice the actual market price.

Skimming in action... inflate the cost, half for the product, half for the Commander and senior officials.

[Andycoops]

I believe it's called bill padding, which can occur almost anywhere.

 

The inflatated cost is for the purchaser to receive a commission for placing the order, all perfectly normal here...

[nobodysfriend]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the question is, who will benefit from the price difference?”

 

Most probably the thai buyers get a part of the money to put in their own pockets ...

[Gsxrnz]

Another golf ball locator (bomb sniffer) scandal in the making. 

[redwood1]

3 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

Another golf ball locator (bomb sniffer) scandal in the making. 

Yep

 

The GT200 is a fraudulent "remote substance detector" that was claimed by its manufacturer, UK-based Global Technical Ltd, to be able to detect, from a distance, various substances including explosives and drugs.

 

This new story sounds a bit familiar....

 

[john donson]

so the very expensive planes came, without one ???

[Sydebolle]

Don't complain, the online price does not include the courier costs ....... simple as that! 

[PETERTHEEATER]

2 hours ago, john donson said:

so the very expensive planes came, without one ???

The subject radios are for Ground to Air communication.