Thaksin's 'stealth' Jet

[george]

Thaksin's 'Stealth' jet

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's new private jet, dubbed 'the stealth', lived up to its name as it flew into Phuket on its maiden flight.

The Airbus A319, bought with more than one billion baht (S$41.2 million) of taxpayers' money for Mr Thaksin's private use, was shrouded in secrecy and tight security as it carried senior government officials to the island for a meeting with Malaysian leaders on Wednesday.

Media cameramen jostled with air force guards at Don Muang airport after the Thai leader decided to try out the plane, which reporters nicknamed 'Air Force One'.

The plane was delivered quietly to Thailand on Aug 25. Government officials have refused to make an official comment on it since.

The delivery of the jet coincided with a plunge in Mr Thaksin's popularity prior to the election for Bangkok's governor.

The fact that the plane's arrival was never announced and plans to use it have twice been cancelled prompted speculation that the government was afraid news about the expensive Airbus would make the premier even more unpopular.

The Defence Ministry said the plane was bought because the air force jets normally used by Cabinet members were not a convenient or comfortable option.

The opposition, however, accused the government of siphoning a huge amount of state money as Cabinet members, including Mr Thaksin, could use commercial planes for foreign trips.

-- The Nation/Asia News Network 2004-10-15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost: The government spent more than one billion baht (S$41.2 million) on the Airbus for the Prime Minister. The plane was bought under the Defence Ministry's budget. The Cabinet also approved an additional 17.2 million baht for the training of the pilots and mechanics.

Crew: The same pilots are used for each flight, and the plane is serviced by six mechanics.

Interior: The 40-seat A-319 has a newly decorated interior and includes a meeting room, a bathroom and a fitting room.

Exterior: A Singha, the symbol of the Prime Minister's Office, is painted on the outside along with the number 60221. The number 602 refers to logistic flights, while 21 is Mr Thaksin's nickname.

[Darknight]

What is that saying that we have here ??

"Everything that goes up must come down ?"

Sounds like our bewilderd leader is climbing high just before he will be crashing down.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

What what that saying that we have here ??

"Everything that goes up must come down ?"

Sounds like our bewilderd leader is climbing high just before he will be crashing down.

Once again, Dark, we agree. Riding for the fall I'd say.

[Darknight]

Hi doc , Carefull we might just agree to become friends

It feels like A coup is coming in thailand......he sure can't keep this up.

Even here in europe word of a lot of angry thais is dripping thru.

Lot's of thai here with angry family members regarding chicken flu ect...

See what happens

[Nam Kao]

41M would help ALOT of poor children

[RDN]

Abraham Lincoln: "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time".

Election coming soon.

[siamruby]

Don't know why he needs the jet. It s very well said that most of the world leaders got one. But he forgot that most of the world leaders are from the rich or powerful countries. Not the third world country like Thailand!

[amarka]

hi...

isn't it thailands ambition to be forward looking?

isn't mr thaksin a rich man? I know "he never paid for the jet himself"

who should be running the country instead? some farmer ? who goes to work on a bicycle ?

He is a high profile politician and a successful business man and therefore attracts a lot of negative press -

I get the feeling a lot of ex pats living in thailand are socialists who cannot understand or appreciate a good leader...

long live maggie .....

amarka

[siamruby]

hi...

isn't it thailands ambition to be forward looking?

isn't mr thaksin a rich man? I know "he never paid for the jet himself"

who should be running the country instead? some farmer ? who goes to work on a bicycle ?

He is a high profile politician and a successful business man and therefore attracts a lot of negative press -

I get the feeling a lot of ex pats living in thailand are socialists who cannot understand or appreciate a good leader...

long live maggie .....

amarka

Wonder if you are being sarcastic or you really meant what you said?

Yes I know that is what he will say about the jet...he bought it himself because he is a rich man

I do appreciate a good leader well but Maggie is not one of them but we are not discussing about UK politic here although I have been living here long enough to know.

By the way I am Thai

[Heng]

Ah yes, the only thing worse than a falang/expat socialist is a local/Thai socialist..... primarily because the local actually has a slightly greater than snowball's chance in heck of changing the status quo.

[siamruby]

Socialist? me? nah I am a right wing.

I suppose there will be a lot of 'socialist' Thais in LOS all because they don't like the way Thaksin spending the country's money.

[medicinebox]

It's not so much as he is clever, as it is that most Thais are ignorant of him.

He wouldn't get away with it in a western society.

[Mr Red]

It's not so much as he is clever, as it is that most Thais are ignorant of him.

He wouldn't get away with it in a western society.

I assume you mean the Thai media is not reporting this accurately, right? Because if you mean most Thais are incapable of grasping his actions, I would sincerely disagree. I would favor the opinion that most folks simply don't care that much.

Regarding "getting away with it in a western society", methinks you give too much credit to those societies. Just look at the current American election process that continues to astound me with the number of so-called educated western folk that do not have a clue what is going on in the political scene. Many Americans can not even name the Vice President, or their own state Governor -- how do you expect them to be interested enough to make a viable choice for President?

Is Thailand, or any other reasonably civilized country, much different than America? Remember, those that seek power usually do so for an economic reason (usually their own). The populace of a given country actually pay little attention to the political wrangling and usually vote on the basis of what their mates say. In the end, life changes little due to which politician is in office, but rather with the choices each individual makes regarding education and moving forward with their own life.

In the end, the measure of success in one's own life is primarily due to that person's individual efforts, not some government action.

[Heng]

*clapping*

[Tufty]

I get the feeling a lot of ex pats living in thailand are socialists who cannot understand or appreciate a good leader...

long live maggie .....

A leader in to war

A woman who got lots of people killed over a few sheep? or was it a stepping stone to Antarctic oil

In the words of Elvis Costello TRAMP THE DIRT DOWN

[amarka]

hello tufy..

no i meant a world leader who turned the country around and engineered the lifestyle many people in the U.K have today...

....same as thaksins doing here... i know he is a making a lot for himself too, but thats the name of the game....

politicians also make mistakes like the rest of us

amarka

[RDN]

A leader in to war

A woman who got lots of people killed over a few sheep? or was it a stepping stone to Antarctic oil....

There was a principle involved here. Most British people fully supported the "war" with Argentina.

And a large majority of people in Europe and America think that Maggie was one of the best Prime Ministers that Britain had had in a long time.

Of course, most socialists think otherwise.

[amarka]

hi...

isn't it thailands ambition to be forward looking?

isn't mr thaksin a rich man? I know "he never paid for the jet himself"

who should be running the country instead? some farmer ? who goes to work on a bicycle ?

He is a high profile politician and a successful business man and therefore attracts a lot of negative press -

I get the feeling a lot of ex pats living in thailand are socialists who cannot understand or appreciate a good leader...

long live maggie .....

amarka

Wonder if you are being sarcastic or you really meant what you said?

Yes I know that is what he will say about the jet...he bought it himself because he is a rich man

I do appreciate a good leader well but Maggie is not one of them but we are not discussing about UK politic here although I have been living here long enough to know.

By the way I am Thai

hello siamruby,

no i wasn't trying to be sarcastic, i meant what i said.

i think thailand has a good leader...many problems though, just like anywhere else, but if you look around other countires can you think of anyone who is performing better?

amarka

[dr_Pat_Pong]

hi...

isn't it thailands ambition to be forward looking?

isn't mr thaksin a rich man? I know "he never paid for the jet himself"

who should be running the country instead? some farmer ? who goes to work on a bicycle ?

He is a high profile politician and a successful business man and therefore attracts a lot of negative press -

I get the feeling a lot of ex pats living in thailand are socialists who cannot understand or appreciate a good leader...

long live maggie .....

amarka

Wonder if you are being sarcastic or you really meant what you said?

Yes I know that is what he will say about the jet...he bought it himself because he is a rich man but we are not discussing about UK politic here although I have been living here long enough to know.

By the way I am Thai

hello siamruby,

no i wasn't trying to be sarcastic, i meant what i said.

i think thailand has a good leader...many problems though, just like anywhere else, but if you look around other countires can you think of anyone who is performing better?

amarka

Quit the drink while you can.

[amarka]

A leader in to war

A woman who got lots of people killed over a few sheep? or was it a stepping stone to Antarctic oil....

There was a principle involved here. Most British people fully supported the "war" with Argentina.

And a large majority of people in Europe and America think that Maggie was one of the best Prime Ministers that Britain had had in a long time.

Of course, most socialists think otherwise.

hi...rdn

i was sticking to the pure economic aspect in my comparisons with thaksin, but you are of course right..

amarka

[amarka]

hi...

isn't it thailands ambition to be forward looking?

isn't mr thaksin a rich man? I know "he never paid for the jet himself"

who should be running the country instead? some farmer ? who goes to work on a bicycle ?

He is a high profile politician and a successful business man and therefore attracts a lot of negative press -

I get the feeling a lot of ex pats living in thailand are socialists who cannot understand or appreciate a good leader...

long live maggie .....

amarka

Wonder if you are being sarcastic or you really meant what you said?

Yes I know that is what he will say about the jet...he bought it himself because he is a rich man

I do appreciate a good leader well but Maggie is not one of them but we are not discussing about UK politic here although I have been living here long enough to know.

By the way I am Thai

hello siamruby,

no i wasn't trying to be sarcastic, i meant what i said.

i think thailand has a good leader...many problems though, just like anywhere else, but if you look around other countires can you think of anyone who is performing better?

amarka

Quit the drink while you can.

hi dr pat pong,

i dont really understand what you are saying?

i guess you dont like either of the two politicians mentioned?

i somehow got that kinda feeling

amarka

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Read it again S L O W L Y I think that Thaksin is thick as two bricks. That is all.

[amarka]

hi dr pat pong,

what thaksin as thick as 2 bricks ? i thought he was the richest man in thailand ? or thereabouts ?

+ a business leader and the prime minister!

cant agree with you there

amarka

[Axel]

I said it before. Leave him his little plane. That's something that comes with the office. For private use, he should pay the costs.

If he is out of office after the next elections or whenever, it should be clear the plane belongs to the Prime Minister, not to Mr. T.

Yes, richer Nations provide their Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chancellors or whatever you call them, with a plane or 2, 3. Only to be used for official duty. Thailand should need a control authority checking on the official use, that's all.

20 million Euro or 24 million US$ was the price tag. If this plane is not here, I doubt a single cent would have gone to social welfare.

Last but not least, who are the rich countries that should afford a plane?

The USA? No offense intented but look at the deficit accumulated over the last 3.5 years. You want to take the Presidents Air Force 1 away?

Look at Germany, nearly bankrupt. Mr. Schroeder shold sell 'his ' plane?

I could go on, but we are talking about Thailand, let her have that thing, to be used by whoever is the Prime Minister.

OK, next time can be bought in barter against chicken, but than....

[medicinebox]

It's not so much as he is clever, as it is that most Thais are ignorant of him.

He wouldn't get away with it in a western society.

I assume you mean the Thai media is not reporting this accurately, right? Because if you mean most Thais are incapable of grasping his actions, I would sincerely disagree. I would favor the opinion that most folks simply don't care that much.

Regarding "getting away with it in a western society", methinks you give too much credit to those societies. Just look at the current American election process that continues to astound me with the number of so-called educated western folk that do not have a clue what is going on in the political scene. Many Americans can not even name the Vice President, or their own state Governor -- how do you expect them to be interested enough to make a viable choice for President?

Is Thailand, or any other reasonably civilized country, much different than America? Remember, those that seek power usually do so for an economic reason (usually their own). The populace of a given country actually pay little attention to the political wrangling and usually vote on the basis of what their mates say. In the end, life changes little due to which politician is in office, but rather with the choices each individual makes regarding education and moving forward with their own life.

In the end, the measure of success in one's own life is primarily due to that person's individual efforts, not some government action.

As someone mentioned on this thread, how many poverty stricken families would the price of the plane help.

It's ok for 'western' countries to have 40million dollar or more jets for their leaders for two reason's. Most have a welfare system. They got their priorities right. Of course no 'western' society is perfect.

And they actually do fly out of their own country because they are in a sense 'world leaders' or 'super powers'. The big boys of worldwide politics. I'm not just on about Dubya either. So where does Toxin fit in, in all of this. Where is he going to fly to? To do what? And how much impact has he got on the 'world stage'?

He wouldn't get away with it in the west because, The people wouldn't let him. His cabinet wouldn't let him. And the media certainly wouldn't let him.

It seems everytime the 'west' is mentioned it's like a swear word on here, and some folks will give a million reasons why LOS is better than the west.

[sriracha john]

Bangkokian didn’t need a crystal ball to see that things weren’t looking too good for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra when he boarded his official aircraft for an official trip and reporters were blocked from taking pictures.

But Bangkokian won’t bore his readers by griping on ad nauseum about “Airforce One”, other than to congratulate Thaksin for mustering the courage to board the controversial plane for the first time this week, albeit without media coverage. None of us got to see the gleeful look on our leader’s face when he boarded the spanking new Airbus 319 on its maiden flight to Phuket.

The hide-and-seek charade surrounding the Bt1-billion aircraft, paid for by the hapless Thai taxpayer, only added to the political shenanigans, which become more hilarious with each passing day.

[RDN]

...Where is he going to fly to? To do what? ....

.... None of us got to see the gleeful look on our leader’s face when he boarded the spanking new Airbus 319 on its maiden flight to Phuket....

The VIP bus from Bangkok to Phuket costs 755 baht. Thaksin please note.

[snoophound]

Someone told me one of thaksins sons was flying domesticly on thai airways as a pilot.

Maybe hes buying a plane for him!!!

[sriracha john]

Someone told me one of thaksins sons was flying domesticly on thai airways as a pilot.

Maybe hes buying a plane for him!!!

Two points come to mind upon reading this.

1. The 22-year-old son of Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's prime minister, was reportedly caught cheating with crib notes during a political science exam at Bangkok's Ramkhamhaeng University. According to local newspaper reports, Panthongtae signed a confession. The Bangkok Post reported he failed four exams at Ramkhamhaeng.

---- I would NEVER travel on a plane whose pilot had such a checkered academic background.

2. Panthongthae Shinawatra, the prime minister’s son, remains the richest investor in the Thai stock market, holding more than Bt12.4 billion worth of shares in Shin Corp and Thai Military Bank.

---- As a 20-something BILLIONAIRE, he can easily afford to buy a plane on his own.

[Dakhar]

I hear the leader of Taiwan is jealous and is going to get his own plan too.

Yes, it will be a glider, but at least he understands how big Taiwan is.