PM Yingluck Shinawatra takes after her brother, orders a plane

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Prime minister takes after her brother, orders a plane
PHOCHANA PHICHITSIRI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- For President Barack Obama, having an official plane like Air Force One is hardly a subject of debate given the roles he plays and the United States' position as the world's only superpower.

But the fact that PM Yingluck Shinawatra is seeking to have one for her office has whipped up criticism.

Government critics cried foul over Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck's plan last month to purchase four aircraft worth around Bt10 billion under the Prime Minister's Office budget for transporting important people, including the prime minister and Cabinet members.

The proposal included one plane that would be used as an alternative aircraft to transport members of |the Royal family, at a cost of Bt3.78 billion.

To curb opposition sentiment, the PM's Office has avoided saying the new aircraft would be used exclusively by the PM and her Cabinet, leaving it open for use by "important figures".

Supporters of Yingluck have argued that buying a plane exclusively for official use is not splurging, given the more than 30 trips overseas she has made since taking office over two years ago, plus other domestic trips.

Each overseas trip costs more than Bt10 million, as the government has to charter Thai Airways planes. On some days Yingluck travels to three provinces in different parts of the country.

The government also says official planes for the PM and Cabinet are needed in light of the opening of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

Critics argue that taxpayers must foot the bills for extra expenses, not just the cost of the planes, but maintenance costs, plus insurance, parking fees, fuel, pilots and stewardess' salaries and welfare.

When Thaksin was premier, he had an official Airbus 319 ACJ named "Thai Ku Fah", which is the same size as a Boeing 737. The plane was bought for Bt1.2 billion under the budget of the Office of the PM, in accordance with a July 2003 Cabinet resolution, under which Thailand handed over two Super Puma MK2 helicopters worth US$21 million and paid $30 million to make up the cost of the $51-million Airbus.

The 151-seat plane was modified to carry 36 seats so extra amenities could be installed for the PM during long trips, such as a personal room, bathrooms with faucets, seats that could be adjusted into beds, VIP seats, a six-seat meeting room with a big table in the middle, rooms for generals who accompanied him, together with 12 business-class seats and 12 economy-class seats.

The plane, luxuriously decorated in earth tones and equipped with communication devices that allowed him to video conference, also featured a satellite communication system through which telephone calls could be made at any time of the day or night. The aircraft carried the Office of the Prime Minister's symbol.

After the 2006 coup, the Thai Ku Fah plane was made a general carrier to transport important officials and it no longer served as an exclusive plane for the PM and Cabinet. The name of the plane was changed to Bor Lor 15 and stationed at the Air Squadron 602 base. The Office of the Prime Minister's symbol was removed.

During the 2011 massive flood, reports had it that the plane was under water at Don Mueang.


-- The Nation 2013-08-13

[jaidam]

Well it was a sad start to the day reading of this latest frivolous waste of my tax money, only to end on such an uplifting tone to read that Thaksin's pimped-out personal wide body jet sunk in Yingluck's great flood. You beaut!

[jonclark]

Ministers have to fly to Dubai somehow !

[WinnieTheKhwai]

"BURNING ISSUE"

Sure, Nation, sure.

I can think of a couple burning issues.

[OzMick]

I know that in Thai the adjectives come after nouns, so I guess in English Thaksin's plane would "Thai Fah Ku". I can work out the meaning from there.

I have an even better way of reducing the cost of Yingluk's trips - cancel them. Perhaps then she would have time to attend parliament, like all the non-Thai PMs.

Edited August 13, 2013 by OzMick

[NongKhaiKid]

YL is having Delusions of Adequacy, she must actually believe she's PM. Help !

[jaidam]

"BURNING ISSUE"

Sure, Nation, sure.

I can think of a couple burning issues.

You must have missed the news that any online negative discussion of Yingluck, Thaksin or PTP in a political context is strictly forbidden, even "liking" such discussion on social media sites results in imprisonment.

This leaves topics that can be safely discussed such as fashion, cooking and aviation hence today's burning issue.

Hooray for PTP, hooray for dictatorship regimes, both our very own domestic one, and fellow dictatorships worldwide.

[Bluespunk]

"Government critics cried foul over Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck's plan last month to purchase four aircraft worth around Bt10 billion under the Prime Minister's Office budget for transporting important people, including the prime minister and Cabinet members."

Not so much Phua Thai and more Phua Yingluck.

[Bluespunk]

"Supporters of Yingluck have argued that buying a plane exclusively for official use is not splurging, given the more than 30 trips overseas she has made since taking office over two years ago, plus other domestic trips."

Then maybe she should stop running off abroad to avoid issues and stay home to do her job.

[Pimay1]

for use by "important figures".

I like that.

[dcutman]

for use by "important figures".

I like that.

Are you thinking the list of names considered "important figures" would be very short on one of these 4 planes?

Possibly a list as short 2, but sharing the same last name.

[Robby nz]

Why does she need 4 planes?

Is she going to take all of the PT MP's and the cabinet with her or is it to carry all the suitcases of money when she makes her escape, like some other members of her family.

[Songhua]

Why does she need 4 planes?

Is she going to take all of the PT MP's and the cabinet with her or is it to carry all the suitcases of money when she makes her escape, like some other members of her family.

She could even leave one in a Dubai hangar.

[OzMick]

If she hadn't gone along with brother's rice scam, she could have bought enough planes to start her own bloody airline. At least there would be something to show for it.

[Ricardo]

Perhaps PM-Yingluck might set an example and save money, by travelling in First-Class on regular TG-flights, or would that be too elitist ?

But TG don't fly where she needs to go, or are too expensive ? Welcome to the Real World, ma'am !

[FarangTalk]

After the 2006 coup, the Thai Ku Fah plane was made a general carrier to transport important officials and it no longer served as an exclusive plane for the PM and Cabinet. The name of the plane was changed to Bor Lor 15 and stationed at the Air Squadron 602 base. The Office of the Prime Minister's symbol was removed.

That's funny, I thought it was given to the Royal Family.

King's new aircraft arrives, with 'Air Force One' in reserve

The "Air Force One" that served then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is now a spare aircraft for His Majesty the King.

His Majesty's new personal aircraft is a Boeing 737-800, which left Seattle, Washington, on Sunday and landed at 11.30am yesterday, after making refuelling stops in Hawaii and Saipan.

"Air Force One", an Airbus ACJ319, carries the official name "Thai Khu Fa", from the building inside the Government House compound. The name will be removed and replaced by "Royal Thai Air Force". The plane will also be repainted in traditional livery, white on the fuselage with light and dark blue stripes from nose to tail.

A Boeing 737-400, which currently serves as the King's aircraft, will be decommissioned in three years after 13 years in operation, Air Force spokesman Group Captain Monthol Satchukorn said.

The Air Force has another Airbus, a 319-300 model, to use as His Majesty's spare plane. Both Airbuses are available for members of the immediate royal family.

The Boeing 737-800 was produced exclusively by the American manufacturer to honour His Majesty's 60th year on the throne.

Boeing was chosen as the supplier because Air Force pilots and maintenance crews are thoroughly familiar with Boeing airliners.

The new 737-800's passenger cabin will be decorated by artists from the Fine Arts Department and fitted with emergency medical equipment and a noise-reduction system.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/21/national/national_30032343.php

[OzMick]

In a panel to decide which aircraft to buy, Yingluk would be the one asking "What colours do they come in?"

[boomerangutang]

How many farang reside in Thailand, perhaps 100,000? and if each spends an average of a million baht/year (including unreported 'sin sod' as well as building houses, buying vehicles, etc), that's a lot of cash coming in from outside. Add to that 7% VAT on purchases, as well as a slew of other payments to officialdom. In effect, we farang are paying for those un-needed planes, ......and a lot more.

[Bluespunk]

In a panel to decide which aircraft to buy, Yingluk would be the one asking "What colours do they come in?"

Or

"How much baggage space does it have?"

[Ricardo]

In a panel to decide which aircraft to buy, Yingluk would be the one asking "What colours do they come in?"

Or

"How much baggage space does it have?"

Better order a 'combi' cargo/passenger version, to be safe ?

Hope the new fleet of aircraft are also equipped to fly at night, unlike the PM's helicopters !

Also I would wonder, given that the government currently needs to borrow for major infrastructure-investments & their rice-scam, how these planes are being financed ?

[Mampara]

yea! i believe the planes will be fully equipped with Bars, Computer game room,s and Karaoke rooms, and most important a Jacuzzi and a fully operational sauna.

[jalansanitwong]

Ive got a good name for the plane....Ample Rich after her brothers HK shelf company which she no doubt benfited from.

These super rich Thais couldnt care less about the general population and their taxes.

[Noistar]

Well it was a sad start to the day reading of this latest frivolous waste of my tax money, only to end on such an uplifting tone to read that Thaksin's pimped-out personal wide body jet sunk in Yingluck's great flood. You beaut!

Perhaps at least one will be based at a location unlikely to be at risk of floods

[Noistar]

"BURNING ISSUE"

Sure, Nation, sure.

I can think of a couple burning issues.

You must have missed the news that any online negative discussion of Yingluck, Thaksin or PTP in a political context is strictly forbidden, even "liking" such discussion on social media sites results in imprisonment.

This leaves topics that can be safely discussed such as fashion, cooking and aviation hence today's burning issue.

Hooray for PTP, hooray for dictatorship regimes, both our very own domestic one, and fellow dictatorships worldwide.

I'm not sure commenting on fashion may be done in complete safety!

[moe666]

No Reds to defend this spending spree

[givenall]

It is for bring dear brother back to LOS

[allan michaud]

"also featured a satellite communication system through which telephone calls could be made at any time of the day or night."

Oooh! amazing what new technology can do these days.

[worgeordie]

sell some rice first,then maybe you can have one !, anyway what happened to the one

her brother bought with Govt money, did he take it with him?

regards Worgeordie

[geriatrickid]

It is not unreasonable for the PM of a country with 70million people and a relatively strong economy, and who as part of the job visits the regions on a regular basis, to have access to an airplane. For security reasons, the PM of Thailand should not be traveling on a general carrier. Think about it. Would you want to go through the extra security necessary to ensure the PM's security if she flew on a TG flight? There is a violent insurrection in Thailand and the PM is a target.

In respect to the former PM aircraft it was effectively seized by the military and used for its own general staff. The air force has been considered to be a private taxi service for senior officers and yet none of the vociferous critics on this page has acknowledged that fact. It is essential that the leader of a country of Thailand's stature have access to dedicated private transport.

[geriatrickid]

It is for bring dear brother back to LOS

Not likely. The former PM has access to private aircraft, just as many other notable people do. CEOs of large corporations have private aircraft too. You might want to look at some of the air transit arrangements of Thailand's corporate world.