PM Yingluck Shinawatra takes after her brother, orders a plane

[Noistar]

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.

I think 'access to a plane' and purchase of planeS are 2 different things.

Humblest etc

[jaidam]

Just thinking that had Thaksin not decided to attempt to manipulate world grain prices with his rice scheme and blown about 1 trillion baht on his howling misuse of tax revenues by buying, storing and the cost to dispose of 20 odd million tonnes of rotten rice. That, together with future loss of revenue and headaches trying to sell Thai grain with it's recently acquired awful reputation, instead of buying Yingluck 4 wide body jets for her shopping trips, the money could have been used to buy every Thai farmer his own learjet probably with enough left over to buy each farmer his own landing strip and FBO hanger to store his jet in.

[tominbkk]

"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.

It's not our problem she is a shopaholic who needs to get her luxury items from the source...

[jbsears]

It doesn't seem to make financial sense. The four planes cost 10 billion Baht. While the numbers aren't all there as one plane costs 3.78 billion Baht, lets average it out to 2.5 billion Baht a plane. She takes approximately 15 trips abroad a year (30+ over two years) costing 10 million Baht a trip. That leads to a cost of 150 million Baht a year if she just took one plane. At her rate of usage (15 trips a year at 10 million Baht a trip), it would take 16 2/3 years to get her money's worth on one plane. That doesn't even take into account all the extra costs of owning versus chartering a plane. And she needs four planes. It just doesn't make financial sense to purchase a plane let alone four planes.

[deecee10]

"30 foreign trips in 2 years"

That's a lot of overseas shopping excursions. Obviously she needs her own plane to carry the stuff back.

There will be one big hangar for the plane and several hundred small hangers for the new outfits.

[scorecard]

for use by "important figures".

I like that.

I guess it will a wine cellar and a medicine cabinet with big stock of ear medicine.

[Thaddeus]

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.

I think 'access to a plane' and purchase of planeS are 2 different things.

Humblest etc

Yep, is the green book for the plane going to be in her name?

[Noistar]

"30 foreign trips in 2 years"

That's a lot of overseas shopping excursions. Obviously she needs her own plane to carry the stuff back.

There will be one big hangar for the plane and several hundred small hangers for the new outfits.

What were the nature of these 30 (i must cover my back by saying 'apparent') prime-ministerial trips?

[Noistar]

I can feel a change in the Constitution coming.

All expenses related to the upkeep of a Prime Ministerial plane must be made from the personal funds of the leader of the Opposition.

In addition, the Leader of the Opposition must personally valet the plane before and after its use.

I thought I was joking, but with the current crop of changes, who knows?

I just hope Abhisit is keeping his eye on the real ball and not being distracted by all the current unbelievable statements.

[slapout]

The intial announcment was the proposed purchase of one plane, now the number being bandied around is four. I really like the justification of the PM taking 20 international trips to justify this proposed purchase. She has passport stamps from several dozen countries, to add to her resume, enough is enough. That is about the only evidence seen from these trips.

Whats next a customized ATV to facilate her trips to the 'head'? When a individual/family in contol of a country as well as a minority of the population attempts/succeds in robbing that country, it is a criminal offense If the legal system cannot/will not control them, maybe it is time for a display of intoleralance by the rank and file, that shames/hurts them where they can be hurt most. The physical things they hold so dear.

[whybother]

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. 

The PM doesn't fly on a general carrier now, so that reasoning is irrelevant.

There may be some argument for her needing her own plane as PM, but 4 of them?

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[belg]

i wish it was an helicopter for her and all those "important" people, so they dont close than all the roads and express ways when one feels the need to go do some shopping and traffic needs to be paralysed

[dcutman]

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.

You are trying to convince us that Yingluck fly's on a general carrier? With Thai being a majority owned by the state. I do believe your princess has fairly adequate access to an PRIVATE airplane at any given moment. Oh and nice try on the security spin, classic GK, the defender of Yingluck.

Edited August 13, 2013 by dcutman

[FarangTalk]

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

Read my post from earlier in the thread. It was given to the Royal Family.

I wonder why the Nation neglected to mention that, but provided us with nearly all the other snippets of information about the plane?

[CIHUAHUA]

When you are hungry and poor and hardly make it day after day no matter how much you try it makes you feel insignificant, unloved, discarded and angry when you hear news like this.

[OzMick]

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

May have been a plan, until he got a rude reminder about the law prohibiting government officials buying government assets.

[FarangTalk]

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

May have been a plan, until he got a rude reminder about the law prohibiting government officials buying government assets.

Maybe you are just making that up.

In any case it remains property of the state for use by the Royal Family, just in case one of their bigger planes breaks down.

[tingtongteesood]

Give her Taksin's old plane and tell her that she can have 2,500 baht compensation for flood damage but she must pay any other expenses by herself and if she doesn't like it, she can protest to her local amphur office but they won't give a crap, see how she likes it....

[Raybo]

I hope that the PM doesn't follow Obama's example. He has been on a permanent vacation.

When he travels his food and fuel and armored limosines and Marine 1 helicopters are also carried.

There is usually 3 huge cargo planes, I believe C-117's bring all of this stuff whereever he goes.

Also 2 fuel tankers are brought along, because the Secret Service doesn't want to use fuel in

Air Force 1 from foreign sources.

Imagine what this cost. The recent trip to Africa cost taxpayers $100,000,000.

Why can't Yingluck use one of the older 737's?

ChuLai 6768

[JayInBKK]

Well, if monks get to have private planes I guess she doesn't want to feel left out.

[rijit]

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.

I think 'access to a plane' and purchase of planeS are 2 different things.

Humblest etc

and yes the pm should be provided with new private luxury air transportation if the majority of that 60 mil populace were provided with decent health care education and reasonable state pensions ,until those are visably adequate she should save face and be seen 2 make do.

Edited August 13, 2013 by rijit

[OzMick]

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

May have been a plan, until he got a rude reminder about the law prohibiting government officials buying government assets.

Maybe you are just making that up.

In any case it remains property of the state for use by the Royal Family, just in case one of their bigger planes breaks down.

I would have thought that the comment was meant lightly was obvious.

But, no matter it was a good opportunity to remind us the whereabouts of Thaksin's plane, as in posts #16 and #48. Do you think once per page is sufficient?

Edited August 13, 2013 by OzMick

[finnomick]

If the PM is so concerned about reducing the cost of her travel, she should try economy class. The flight's about the same time as first class ( haha )

[monkey4u]

There is a perfectly good airship available for NO LUCK to use,the Army will give it to her cheap.

Ok it has a few leaks in it.

She can generate enough hot air to keep it flying forever.

As for the plane that was left to swim in the floods, no one thought to move it

After all it was an expensive toy

[Nickymaster]

Just spend (and steal) tax payers money as long as you can. That's what the Shins have been doing for a decade and will keep doing.

It not theirs anyhow so why would they care.

[plazot11]

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.

PM Yingluck Shinawatra is a popular, respected and democratically elected Prime Minister of our beloved Thailand.

Please stop the pathetic whining you all sound like "whinging poms" making dumb, childish remarks.

If you have no valid comments on her policies please go away and get a real life.

[Rinrada]

Agree should take this more seriously........

Thai one On...Ready for takeoff....

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.

PM Yingluck Shinawatra is a popular, respected and democratically elected Prime Minister of our beloved Thailand.

Please stop the pathetic whining you all sound like "whinging poms" making dumb, childish remarks.

If you have no valid comments on her policies please go away and get a real life.

[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.

The PM doesn't fly on a general carrier now, so that reasoning is irrelevant.

There may be some argument for her needing her own plane as PM, but 4 of them?

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

The PMO usually charters a plane. It isn't cost effective. Government ministers do need to go to places quickly. It doesn't matter whether it is a PTP or Democrat government. The former PM Abhisit's administration were frequent flyers too. It goes with the job. If you think ministers love jetting around, then you are mistaken. It is tiring and takes people away from their homes and families. It loses its allure quickly. Anyone who travels for business will tell you that. I used to make many long haul trips. Even though I would fly in business or first, it stopped being fun after a few months.Try flying to London from Bangkok, even in first and see how much energy you have after the first few meetings. Toss in some state functions, then some diplomatic negotiations and then see how effective you would be. Try having some meetings with staff in the cabin. It's not conducive to working, at least not for government work where one is prepping right until arrival.

In respect to 4 aircraft under consideration, why don't we compare? Canada, with a population 1/2 that of Thailand's has 1 Airbus 310-300 VIP configuration and 4 Bombardier Challenger 600 series for government use. The PM has a dedicated CL-601 for internal use.

Australia with an even smaller population of 22 million, has 2 B737 business jets and 3 Challenger 604s for government use.

Even tiny Denmark has 3 Challenger CL-604s for dedicated government use.

Now, if you want extravagance, have a look at the German government's vast dedicated air fleet.

Honestly, I have the impression that a great many people are clueless as to what governments maintain by way of dedicated air fleets.

Edited August 13, 2013 by geriatrickid

[wolf5370]

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.

PM Yingluck Shinawatra is a popular, respected and democratically elected Prime Minister of our beloved Thailand.

Please stop the pathetic whining you all sound like "whinging poms" making dumb, childish remarks.

If you have no valid comments on her policies please go away and get a real life.

Was this meant to be sarcastic wit? You chose the only post in the whole thread that is in anyway standing up for Yingluk and then attack it for the opposite meaning! (???)

[Soupdragon]

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.

The PM doesn't fly on a general carrier now, so that reasoning is irrelevant.

There may be some argument for her needing her own plane as PM, but 4 of them?

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

The PMO usually charters a plane. It isn't cost effective. Government ministers do need to go to places quickly. It doesn't matter whether it is a PTP or Democrat government. The former PM Abhisit's administration were frequent flyers too. It goes with the job. If you think ministers love jetting around, then you are mistaken. It is tiring and takes people away from their homes and families. It loses its allure quickly. Anyone who travels for business will tell you that. I used to make many long haul trips. Even though I would fly in business or first, it stopped being fun after a few months.Try flying to London from Bangkok, even in first and see how much energy you have after the first few meetings. Toss in some state functions, then some diplomatic negotiations and then see how effective you would be. Try having some meetings with staff in the cabin. It's not conducive to working, at least not for government work where one is prepping right until arrival.

In respect to 4 aircraft under consideration, why don't we compare? Canada, with a population 1/2 that of Thailand's has 1 Airbus 310-300 VIP configuration and 4 Bombardier Challenger 600 series for government use. The PM has a dedicated CL-601 for internal use.

Australia with an even smaller population of 22 million, has 2 B737 business jets and 3 Challenger 604s for government use.

Even tiny Denmark has 3 Challenger CL-604s for dedicated government use.

Now, if you want extravagance, have a look at the German government's vast dedicated air fleet.

Honestly, I have the impression that a great many people are clueless as to what governments maintain by way of dedicated air fleets.

Would it be better to compare like to like rather than by population. Loas, Cambodia, Myanmar, ?