The 2025 budget bill outlines the allocation of 12 billion baht for a new VIP aircraft and 3.3 billion baht for two mid-sized helicopters designated for important passengers. These additions aim to bolster the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) capabilities in supporting various training programs and other essential activities.

 

Intended to replace the ageing Airbus 340 scheduled for decommissioning in 2029, the new VIP aircraft is part of a strategic upgrade. RTAF Commander-in-Chief Punpakdee Pattanakul highlighted the necessity of a long-haul aircraft for vital passengers and emergency assistance during conflicts or disasters.

 

“Thailand needs a long-haul aircraft for important passengers and for providing assistance during emergencies such as war or disaster.”

 

The new aircraft would also serve the prime minister and Cabinet members, eliminating the reliance on chartered planes. Recently, the existing Airbus 340-500 was utilised to evacuate Thai workers from Israel and Sudan, demonstrating the practical need for such an asset.

 

 

The two mid-sized helicopters would enhance the RTAF’s search and rescue operations and other emergency services. The specific models for the aircraft and helicopters are yet to be chosen, pending budget approval.

 

Punpakdee added that the approved budget had to be known first before deciding on the models.

 

This procurement underscores Thailand’s commitment to maintaining a robust and responsive air force, ensuring readiness for both official duties and unforeseen crises, reported Bangkok Post.

 

By Sarishti Arora

Picture courtesy of Curioso Photography from unsplash.com

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-08

 

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A scandal....and they are borrowing to money to fly this corrupt bunch of ne'er-do-wells around. 

23 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

“Thailand needs a long-haul aircraft for important passengers

 

27 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

RTAF Commander-in-Chief Punpakdee Pattanakul highlighted the necessity of a long-haul aircraft for vital passengers

 

And there was me thinking that's what airlines did. Silly me.

Looking at the 'business case' for the spend just shows how weak the argument is just so that they can continue the corruption.

15.3 billion? Will that include engines?  

Now we know why they want to tax us all on worldwide income.

why not try and do a buy-two-get-1-free deal with China .....  put them in with the submarine contract and get the whole box and dice. 

Imagine the look on the Military bosses faces if that happened ....    they would be rubbing their hands with glee ...

The whole lot remind me of little children with their toys.

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The 2025 budget bill outlines the allocation of 12 billion baht for a new VIP aircraft and 3.3 billion baht for two mid-sized helicopters designated for important passengers. These additions aim to bolster the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) capabilities in supporting various training programs and other essential activities.

Weekends away?

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

RTAF Commander-in-Chief Punpakdee Pattanakul highlighted the necessity of a long-haul aircraft for vital passengers and emergency assistance during conflicts or disasters.

What ?????

They will not contract direct with manufacturers because they won’t give backhanders, some obscure Thai company will act as middle man. Owned by someone in the procurement process.

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Intended to replace the ageing Airbus 340 scheduled for decommissioning in 2029, the new VIP aircraft is part of a strategic upgrade. RTAF Commander-in-Chief Punpakdee Pattanakul highlighted the necessity of a long-haul aircraft for vital passengers and emergency assistance during conflicts or disasters

I would have thought most VIPs had already bought their own jets.

57 minutes ago, geisha said:

The whole lot remind me of little children with their toys.

Minds of children = 👶

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The 2025 budget bill outlines the allocation of 12 billion baht for a new VIP aircraft

 

This is ridiculous . 12 billion baht ? are they definitely gone nuts ?

That reminds me of the Thai man who committed suicide over a debt of 1000 baht .

 

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

These additions aim to bolster the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) capabilities in supporting various training programs and other essential activities.

 

Essential activities means the rich and influential want to have a secure means to escape the country once a long overdue revolution takes place ?

 

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the necessity of a long-haul aircraft for vital passengers and emergency assistance during conflicts or disasters.

 

Here we have it . When conflicts come , the VIP's now have an escape route .

Hope they will need this .

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The new aircraft would also serve the prime minister and Cabinet members, eliminating the reliance on chartered planes.

 

Sure , flee the country that you have ripped-off for so long , in style and class .

 

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This procurement underscores Thailand’s commitment to maintaining a robust and responsive air force, ensuring readiness for both official duties and unforeseen crises

 

hahaha ....

12 minutes ago, Asquith Production said:

I would have thought most VIPs had already bought their own jets.

 

I think , most even have properties outside Thailand , just in case ...

Guess the MP needs it, so not be more than 180 days in the country.

I wonder if ones for Taksin 

And a Squadron of Typhoons.

There are people working for 300bht a day doing menial jobs in thailand and they spend that amount of money on private jets and helicopters for the corrupt wealthy so called ruling class absolutely disgraceful

The "Budget" that's funny, let's call it money laundering,  we, Certainly couldn't have the VIP,s flying with the commoners, just another pocket lining excersise lm sure that money could be better spent elsewhere rather than Government officials bid noting themselves 

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The specific models for the aircraft and helicopters are yet to be chosen, pending budget approval. The distribution of the obligatory brown envelopes.

Fixed that error, as you can bet your last Satang there will be a queue of Thai middlemen dipping into the trough.

I think that money would be better spent on the Thai people that need it,,,I believe that both the Prime minister and vice PM are both billionaires and if they need such items then they should buy them on there own money,,,these people are such a joke. 

Somehow my AI merged this article's headline "Thailand allocates 15.3 billion baht for VIP aircraft and helicopters" with that one's "Daring Daylight Heist: Over 50 Baht of Gold Stolen in Minutes" and the result was:

Daring Daylight Heist: Thailand allocates 15.3 billion baht for VIP aircraft and helicopters 

Taxsin looking for VIP access?

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

unforeseen

...as uncontrolled invasion of Chinese...??? Too late😇

13 hours ago, steven100 said:

why not try and do a buy-two-get-1-free deal with China .....  put them in with the submarine contract and get the whole box and dice. 

Imagine the look on the Military bosses faces if that happened ....    they would be rubbing their hands with glee ...

Allexpress free delivery if you buy today. Hurry up only two left.

what a waste.

 

bob.

I guess we cannot ask for WHOM that cannot be named the toys are...

 

 

 

The rich take good care of themselves.

23 minutes ago, Ironmike said:

I think that money would be better spent on the Thai people that need it,,,I believe that both the Prime minister and vice PM are both billionaires and if they need such items then they should buy them on there own money,,,these people are such a joke. 

 

you don't look high up enough for this one... the one that cannot be named

37 minutes ago, Paiman said:

Guess the MP needs it, so not be more than 180 days in the country.

 

this one spends a lot of time in a western country