This one made me laugh. Made in Thailand, shipped to UK, sold on to Austria and shipped back to Thailand.

Bangkok Post

They cost 6.8 million baht, acc. to The Nation.

This one made me laugh. Made in Thailand, shipped to UK, sold on to Austria and shipped back to Thailand.

Bangkok Post

Are these the ones stuck in customs because they were imported as 'military' hardware (no duty) but the customs department won't accept them as such?

Also some comment that they are built on an Isuzu chassis that costs 750,000 and that they are not worth the 6.5 million.

The were imported to improve bilateral relations by the central government but then dumped on BMA. BMA took over firefighting duties from military, and as military didn't have to pay taxes on them, so BMA argues that it shouldn't either.

On BMA's side the purchase was signed by the previous governor on his last day in office. Now that's the way to say goodbye.

Very typical, indeed.

If anything, this should remind people to never attempt to import a vehicle into Thailand, when even the Thai (local) government can't do it without being shafted in the behind.

Jeeze. I will second that Chanchao. If the government can not import emergency equipment vehicles for the public good, it a good argument for giving up on getting your favorite 2CV in.

Thats a bit steep for an empty firetruck. Even the local price of 2.5 million must include a baggage scanner or two.

Its just like anyother things. For Example: Nike shoes

Some models are made here in Thailand, then shipped out to US and then re-exported back to Thailand!!!!

Well, no comments!!!

Those fire trucks should not be over 2 million baht! Man......

Things like that just defy any logic. Absolutely incredible.

I think they would change their tune if there homes burnt down because they tried to put it out with buckets from an open drain....

I agree, they are used to protect people from harm and damage to property and land, what a shame...

Is there no one in the government that can't step up to the plate when things like this happen?

This is a surprising subject to come up,

Only last week we were talking about the local Fire Brigade here in Hua Hin.

I could not understand why we have such outdated fire appliances here and asked why on earth Thailand does not import used ones from the UK.

They would be right hand drive and you can buy secondhand ones very cheap and well serviced.

The reply from Thai friends was, if they did that who in power would make enough money????.

My feeling is that Hua Hin like many resorts is a disaster waiting to happen.

We have more and more large hotels being built all the time and built higher for maximum rooms.

Yet we still have no Turntable appliance here.

You just know that someday the worst will happen.

Mike.

This one made me laugh. Made in Thailand, shipped to UK, sold on to Austria and shipped back to Thailand.

Bangkok Post

Link broken.

Bangkok Post archives its stories and so links work only on the actual day. Archives are not free to read, I believe.

BKK Governor said the purchase of expensive fire trucks unavoidable under Thai-Austrian agreement

Bangkok Governor Aphirak Kosayothin (อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน) insisted that the purchase of fire trucks under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration was in accordance with an agreement established between the governments of Thailand and Austria, which the BMA had to comply with.

Governor Aphirak said the approval process of the 6.7 billion baht fire truck procurement project took place before he was appointed to the position. He said the approval was made due to the cabinet verdict to engage in counter-trade with Austria, in which Thailand would buy goods from Austria and vice versa. Mr. Aphirak said he had sent a letter to the Ministry of Interior to request revision of the project but was told by then minister Bhokin Balakula (โภคิน พลกุล) that the contract could not be canceled as it may affect relations between the countries.

In the meantime Mr. Thewan Liptaphanlop (เทวัญ ลิปตพัลลภ), the head of the House committee on anti-corruption, said there was obvious prevention of other contenders in the fire engine auction.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 Febuary 2006

6.8 million no doubt includes a lot of equipement, whether or not they're still VFM I don't know.