Report Thai Police Face Scrutiny Over New Patrol Motorbike Purchase

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

The Thai police force's decision to phase out older patrol motorbikes in favour of new models has ignited debate online.

 

The introduction of the Honda ADV-160 scooters has been met with criticism, as many netizens argue existing CBR300 bikes at local stations are still serviceable. Instead, they suggest the allocated funds should be used for maintenance and part replacements, which would be more cost-effective.

 

On 22 May 2025, Wasin Sirikiattikul, advisor to the chairman of Thailand's police committee in the House of Representatives, shared details of the procurement project on his Facebook page. He highlighted the patrol unit's mission to enhance crime prevention, anti-narcotics efforts, and public safety.

 

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

The Honda ADV-160, an adventure scooter, is considered for its agility in urban areas, crowded communities, and rough roads. Its compact size, flexible suspension, and economical engine make it ideal for narrow alleys and heavy traffic, although less suitable for high-speed pursuits.

 

Critics primarily focus on the budget implications, pointing out the high cost of procurement and logistical concerns, arguing that the decision-makers purchasing the bikes are not those who will be using them. This echoes broader frustrations that field operatives simply have to adapt to decisions made by higher-ups.

 

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

The procurement process involves an e-bidding method to acquire 14,442 units, with a budget totaling approximately 1.88 billion baht.

 

The decision aims to replace ageing motorbikes over seven years old, which have become inefficient for 24-hour patrol duties as mandated by the government's urgent policies on crime and drug prevention.

 

Despite these decisions, the criticism highlights a need to consider practicality and budget effectiveness, suggesting that existing resources could be better utilised and budgets spent more prudently.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Rath 2025-05-23

 

 

[ozz1]

Someone is getting a nice commission

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The procurement process involves an e-bidding method to acquire 14,442 units, with a budget totaling approximately 1.88 billion baht.

10% off the top for someone?

[klauskunkel]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

14,442 units, with a budget totaling approximately 1.88 billion baht.

1,880,000,000 / 14,442 = 130,176 baht

that's an expensive scooter...

maybe it's a smart bike?

 

 

[Tom100]

130,176 baht per scooter!  Retail price is only 99,000 when buying ONE. 

The "commission" is 450,243,792 baht calculated as the 31,176 markup per scooter.

 

Procurement corruption! 

 

 

[Fab5BKK]

https://www.thaihonda.co.th/honda/motorcycle/automatic/new-adv160-2024

 

ADV160 THB99,900 Official Retail Price

 

THB 1,880,000,000 / 14,442 Units = THB130,176 > "Mark Up": 30%

 

NB: usually when you buy in bulk you get discounts...

[terryq]

1 minute ago, Tom100 said:

130,176 baht per scooter!  Retail price is only 99,000 when buying ONE. 

The "commission" is 450,243,792 baht calculated as the 31,176 markup per scooter.

 

Procurement corruption! 

 

 

 

30% is the normal skim. Has been for years.

 

 

[Tom100]

11 minutes ago, terryq said:

 

30% is the normal skim. Has been for years.

What does the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Thailand) do if this is so obvious?

 

[MartinL]

That custom maroon paintjob and a few exclusive stickers could easily account for the 30 k฿ price rise. 😉😉

[Peabody]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The decision aims to replace ageing motorbikes over seven years old, which have become inefficient for 24-hour patrol duties as mandated by the government's urgent policies on crime and drug prevention.

People here are so negative. Look at the bright side: We now have 14,442 cops on 24-hour patrol. 

[WHansen]

Good to know they won't be able to keep up with my Xmax 300 🤣 (joking)

Describing an ADV 160/350 as an adventure bike is the biggest joke though, i have the 350 in the UK and at 186kg and 29bhp, an adventure bike it most certainly is not, it's a dressed up scooter which is no more capable than my Xmax.

[NoDisplayName]

What's wrong with buying a Thai brand?

Retail price under 70,000.

Fleet price should be no more than 100,000 each.

 

 

https://www.ridestallions.com/home/en/c-series-centaur-170i-bobber/

[chuang]

Money Money Money 🤑 🤑 🤑 

[Iron Tongue]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

10% off the top for someone?

 

You are thinking like a Westerner, only skim a bit so it doesn't get noticed. 

In corrupt countries, the "skim" can be anywhere from 30%-50%, even 100% if there are no auditing processes in place.  

 

 

[impulse]

1 hour ago, terryq said:

30% is the normal skim. Has been for years.

 

In fairness, the OP doesn't indicate whether that budget includes service and spare parts for a specified time period.

 

 

[BritScot]

2 hours ago, terryq said:

 

30% is the normal skim. Has been for years.

 

 

Was told the generals wanted 40% when in power! Looks like bac to normal 30%. 

[MartinL]

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

What's wrong with buying a Thai brand?

Retail price under 70,000.

Fleet price should be no more than 100,000 each.

 

 

https://www.ridestallions.com/home/en/c-series-centaur-170i-bobber/

 

They had Stallions bikes 15 years ago when I was new here - 200cc I think. The bikes I saw locally seemed to be ridden into the ground and had probably never seen a mechanic yet they must have been the simplest of bikes to maintain - single cylinder, carburettors, simple electrics. These new things will also be ridden to destruction because that's usually the Thai way.

 

Anyway, aren't these new Hondas likely to be Thai built?

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

What's wrong with buying a Thai brand?

 

 

 

 

 

Aren't they Chinese garbage assembled in Thailand?

[impulse]

I wonder if they even considered e-scooters?  Even for a small portion of their purchase as a trial run...

 

[billd766]

2 hours ago, Fab5BKK said:

https://www.thaihonda.co.th/honda/motorcycle/automatic/new-adv160-2024

 

ADV160 THB99,900 Official Retail Price

 

THB 1,880,000,000 / 14,442 Units = THB130,176 > "Mark Up": 30%

 

NB: usually when you buy in bulk you get discounts...

The 99,900 baht is for the basic version only and for 1 scooter only which most dealers can sell you. However if you want a large number, IMHO it "should be cheaper to go directly to Honda.

 

The article does not say if the cost of spares and service is included or if the Thai police service their own bikes. The article seems to be a bit short on details like that.

 

If a police bike only averages 50 km per day, 7 days a week for 1 year that is 18.250 per year and 127.750 km over 7 years, so after 7 years it will be fairly worn out.

[johng]

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

What's wrong with buying a Thai brand?

They tried that already with the Tiger Boxer

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

What's wrong with buying a Thai brand?

Service and reliability. 

 

You can't beat Japanese for pricing, reliability and economical servicing. 

It's what you want as a police persuit vehicle. 

 

[NoDisplayName]

23 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Aren't they Chinese garbage assembled in Thailand?

 

Garbage?

 

Chinese build submarine engines!

 

 

 

 

[NoDisplayName]

10 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Service and reliability. 

 

You can't beat Japanese for pricing, reliability and economical servicing. 

It's what you want as a police persuit vehicle. 

 

 

Pursuit?

 

Too strenuous, no thanks.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Iron Tongue said:

 

You are thinking like a Westerner, only skim a bit so it doesn't get noticed. 

In corrupt countries, the "skim" can be anywhere from 30%-50%, even 100% if there are no auditing processes in place.  

 

 

As you say there are levels of skimming..... usually the higher up the ladder the greater the figure.

I wonder what it was with the "fallen building" in Bangkok... High level Thais and Chinese involved.

[safarimike11]

On 5/23/2025 at 1:40 PM, klauskunkel said:

 

(Goggled):

1. "The starting price for a new Honda ADV 160 scooter in Thailand is 99,900 THB. This price is the suggested retail price, according to Thai Honda. "

2. "The starting price for a new Honda Click scooter in Thailand is around 51,900 THB for the Click 125 and 63,500 THB for the Click 160".

3. Keyword (missing) is "bung".

[AhFarangJa]

On 5/23/2025 at 2:06 PM, Tom100 said:

What does the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Thailand) do if this is so obvious?

 

They take 30% of the 30%.....

[scorecard]

On 5/23/2025 at 1:22 PM, hotchilli said:

10% off the top for someone?

Yeah but there has to be an agent / middleman involved in the purchase.

 

How else could it be?

[scorecard]

On 5/23/2025 at 4:46 PM, NoDisplayName said:

 

Pursuit?

 

Too strenuous, no thanks.

 

There's always the argument - do you (the public) want anybody (police or otherwise) involved in high speed chases (on motorcycles or in cars) on public roads? 

[still kicking]

You call those bikes? These are bikes.