PM Yingluck Shinawatra takes after her brother, orders a plane

[wolf5370]

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 !

I read a couple of years ago that the Commonwealth head, HM Queen Elizabeth makes do with BA for long-hall & a BAe 146 (that is normally for military use) (& which she shares with Cameron); for stooging around Europe!

HM often goes around her palace turning the light off & had to give up the Royal yacht some time ago!!

Well done Ma'am for your austerity, can you have a word with PM Yingluck?

She also gave up the royal train - had all the royal cars (including rolls Royce limos) converted to LPG (a long time ago pretty much as soon as it was a viable possibility!) - pays taxes that she is official exempt from paying (including income tax) - had all lighting replaced with low wattage low energy - and is well known for being frugal and not allowing waste (to the extent that food leavings are used for feed and composting).

She was sad to see HMY Britannia go though - it is said she cried during decommissioning (many wars were averted, and friendships made, in that boat). I think it was a mistake myself, it was a bit of Britain that could go anywhere and where on board it was still Britain regardless of the geographical location, but at least it is still nationally owned as a tourist attraction (under a charity) in Edinburgh.

[EyesWideOpen]

A fairly pointless idea. She will be out of office long before

the planes ever show up. Also feels a bit like Nero fiddling

while Rome burned. There are some serious issues facing this

country such as the rice scam. Yingluck having to lease a

Thai Airways plane for another of her endless shopping trips is

not one of them....

[wolf5370]

A fairly pointless idea. She will be out of office long before

the planes ever show up. Also feels a bit like Nero fiddling

while Rome burned. There are some serious issues facing this

country such as the rice scam. Yingluck having to lease a

Thai Airways plane for another of her endless shopping trips is

not one of them....

Yeah its amazing really - someone should have reminded her about her brother - when he did the job, and went on a jolly, someone changed all the locks behind him!

[klauskunkel]

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....

That one got converted into a submarine after the floods. Chalerm has it now. It's painted pink and parked next to his Bentley

[MobileContent]

There is a perfectly good airship available for NO LUCK to use,the Army will give it to her cheap. width=32 alt=cheesy.gif>

Ok it has a few leaks in it.

She can generate enough hot air to keep it flying forever. width=19 alt=whistling.gif>

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

Thai Airways and the Thai Royal Air-force was in charge of maintenance the plane at DM. Don't worry about the floods. Water never went 3-4 meters.

[CUNJU]

I definately a shame the way this Gov. keeps raping their people with artificial and pompous expenditures to satisfy their greed!

[Noistar]

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.

Not in Thailand.

The people you mention wouldn't understand/care. My 'educated' wife has a total blank on current affairs. I fear she is in the majority with her attitude of 'Mai Ben drie, up-to-them'.

Money/taxes/government is a black box which she has no interest in peering inside, let alone opening.

And from this the electorate make an educated assessment of party policies?

TIT

[geriatrickid]

Hold on, there are 4 TG Airbus A340-500 that are no more than 8 years old rotting away at Don Mueang; these aircraft can go anywhere in the world non stop from Thailand. Why can't these be refitted for her VIP use?

An A340 is an immense plane. It is also a fuel gobbler, and inappropriate for the needs of a government leader.

If you are going to criticize the PMO for looking at B737 business jets,that are far more fuel efficient than an A340 and cost significantly less to operate, then you should follow your own advice. why do you think airlines have parked so many of their large jets and are looking to replace the old B747/767 planes as well as scrap the old A 340/330 models? Why would you recommend using an inappropriate aircraft?

[Noistar]

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.

Oh please! What does the population of Australia have to do with it? It is a country both vast and remote, and its population produces more than 4 times the GDP of Thailand, we do not have the pressing social and infrastructure needs of Thailand, and we can afford a few planes for our pollies. The same comments apply to Canada, and even to Denmark.

And please tell me what situation has ever been improved by the rapid arrival of a bloody politician.

It's great for PR

[Noistar]

Hold on, there are 4 TG Airbus A340-500 that are no more than 8 years old rotting away at Don Mueang; these aircraft can go anywhere in the world non stop from Thailand. Why can't these be refitted for her VIP use?

An A340 is an immense plane. It is also a fuel gobbler, and inappropriate for the needs of a government leader.

If you are going to criticize the PMO for looking at B737 business jets,that are far more fuel efficient than an A340 and cost significantly less to operate, then you should follow your own advice. why do you think airlines have parked so many of their large jets and are looking to replace the old B747/767 planes as well as scrap the old A 340/330 models? Why would you recommend using an inappropriate aircraft?

At least be accurate. A340s are not fuel efficient and are no longer built. A330s are in full production and still achieving significant new orders, due in no small measure to their cost-effectiveness.

[dcutman]

Hold on, there are 4 TG Airbus A340-500 that are no more than 8 years old rotting away at Don Mueang; these aircraft can go anywhere in the world non stop from Thailand. Why can't these be refitted for her VIP use?

An A340 is an immense plane. It is also a fuel gobbler, and inappropriate for the needs of a government leader.

If you are going to criticize the PMO for looking at B737 business jets,that are far more fuel efficient than an A340 and cost significantly less to operate, then you should follow your own advice. why do you think airlines have parked so many of their large jets and are looking to replace the old B747/767 planes as well as scrap the old A 340/330 models? Why would you recommend using an inappropriate aircraft?

Or just utilize the fleet of aircraft that Thai Airways has available.

[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!

And even Samak got nailed for cooking. Think horticulture might be okay?

Does that include rice?

[ginjag]

Hold on, there are 4 TG Airbus A340-500 that are no more than 8 years old rotting away at Don Mueang; these aircraft can go anywhere in the world non stop from Thailand. Why can't these be refitted for her VIP use?

An A340 is an immense plane. It is also a fuel gobbler, and inappropriate for the needs of a government leader.

If you are going to criticize the PMO for looking at B737 business jets,that are far more fuel efficient than an A340 and cost significantly less to operate, then you should follow your own advice. why do you think airlines have parked so many of their large jets and are looking to replace the old B747/767 planes as well as scrap the old A 340/330 models? Why would you recommend using an inappropriate aircraft?

Depends on how many times you use it ?? on how many people it will carry on average ??? and how much it costs.

cost of an A340 second hand- re.furbed--against the cost of B 737 800

not forgetting 4 are needed ???

The pm usually takes as many cabinet and High rankers as poss-so the room on the A340 for 1st class/business and her quarters-bars and studies bathrooms, and quarters for secretary's and carers. You need a larger plane and after all it was never a very large plane. safety record reliable.

4 for the price of one ??/ not forgetting the A340s are Thai Airways and government owned ???? snip -from an inactive post, doing nothing and may have to be sold only for parts.

[Noistar]

got the money for a plane ,but no money for constant running water in our village,

First requirement is your village must vote PT or you won't get a baht.

[Bpuumike]

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.

And of course a Gucci shop

[digibum]

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.

Are you describing yourself or are you pretending to know how 70 million Thai people feel?

Economically, it makes more sense for her to charter jets from Thai Airways but one could make the argument for a single aircraft to be at the PM's disposal. That's especially true if it truly belongs to the office of PM and not just Yingluck so that all future PM's can use it as well.

[monkeycountry]

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.

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.

The PM does not fly with the public, she charters TG or army planes for her and her staff, so there are no security or schedule issues.

What stature? Thailand may have a lot of people, but the GDP is low. I think roughly the size of the tiny scandinavian countries.

And no, the danish pm does not have 3 dedicated planes as you mention in another post. She and her staff usually charter military planes, and at a much cheaper rate than the thai pm. There was recently an article about the danish pm having spent a total of 10 million baht on her latest 8 trips abroad, the price yingluck apparently pays for 1 trip.

Edited August 13, 2013 by monkeycountry

[monkeycountry]

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.

Corporate world planes are paid by the shareholders, not tax payers.

[Stradavarius37]

"BURNING ISSUE"

Sure, Nation, sure.

I can think of a couple burning issues.

Careful Winnie, your bias is showing....

[OzMick]

Hold on, there are 4 TG Airbus A340-500 that are no more than 8 years old rotting away at Don Mueang; these aircraft can go anywhere in the world non stop from Thailand. Why can't these be refitted for her VIP use?

An A340 is an immense plane. It is also a fuel gobbler, and inappropriate for the needs of a government leader.

If you are going to criticize the PMO for looking at B737 business jets,that are far more fuel efficient than an A340 and cost significantly less to operate, then you should follow your own advice. why do you think airlines have parked so many of their large jets and are looking to replace the old B747/767 planes as well as scrap the old A 340/330 models? Why would you recommend using an inappropriate aircraft?

But how much extra fuel will it have to use to exceed the price of a new aircraft? And if the PM stayed at home to attend parliament instead of gallivanting around the world to TPLC (tin pot little countries) achieving 3/5 of SFA, the excess fuel cost would be negligible.

The excess cost of hiring a TG jet over actual cost is profit for Thai Airways. That part which is not government owned is taxed. So how is buying a new plane saving money?

[Baerboxer]

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.

You've managed to be wrong on all your comments and seem deluded that you have some influence over TV posters.

Have you thought about working in PR for PT?

The PM / DM is completely sheltered from the harsh realities of life. 4 private planes - what next, the private yacht, house in the country for relaxing from the ardours of all those trips abroad?

The point is Yingy, just like BB has trouble differentiating between the treasury money and her own. But, somehow knows its easier to spend the former.

[jcisco]

"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.

I think they mean that it can be in the air and make those phone calls day or night and unless you have a specialized system installed to provide the satelliite link back to a base station to connect to the phone network your not gonna be making calls at altitude.

Unless of course you have a satellite phone but I am not sure what the reception is like while in a sealed tin can, but installing a nice large antenna on the aircraft is just like on your landcruiser.. easy.

[KuhnPaen]

Why is this a big deal? Most world leaders are robber barons. If this was Africa, or South America, the plane would be pimped out with blood diamonds and seats covered in ocelot hides.

Surprised she doesn't carry a gold-plated AK-47 already. Maybe it's on the plane.

[Noistar]

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.

Are you describing yourself or are you pretending to know how 70 million Thai people feel?

Economically, it makes more sense for her to charter jets from Thai Airways but one could make the argument for a single aircraft to be at the PM's disposal. That's especially true if it truly belongs to the office of PM and not just Yingluck so that all future PM's can use it as well.

The argument being?

If a VIP NEEDS immediate transportation, it will happen. 'A' plane would be available somewhere, not a 'single' plane.

[Noistar]

Why is this a big deal? Most world leaders are robber barons. If this was Africa, or South America, the plane would be pimped out with blood diamonds and seats covered in ocelot hides.

Surprised she doesn't carry a gold-plated AK-47 already. Maybe it's on the plane.

Here we go again, the usual reply

"He did it first so it's ok for me to."

Think of a colour starting with red -oh, red

[Noistar]

"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.

I think they mean that it can be in the air and make those phone calls day or night and unless you have a specialized system installed to provide the satelliite link back to a base station to connect to the phone network your not gonna be making calls at altitude.

Unless of course you have a satellite phone but I am not sure what the reception is like while in a sealed tin can, but installing a nice large antenna on the aircraft is just like on your landcruiser.. easy.

Can't you do that already on commercial flights, albeit at astronomical rates?

[KuhnPaen]

Why is this a big deal? Most world leaders are robber barons. If this was Africa, or South America, the plane would be pimped out with blood diamonds and seats covered in ocelot hides.

Surprised she doesn't carry a gold-plated AK-47 already. Maybe it's on the plane.

Here we go again, the usual reply

"He did it first so it's ok for me to."

Think of a colour starting with red -oh, red

You obviously don't get sarcasm.

[whybother]

"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.

I think they mean that it can be in the air and make those phone calls day or night and unless you have a specialized system installed to provide the satelliite link back to a base station to connect to the phone network your not gonna be making calls at altitude.

Unless of course you have a satellite phone but I am not sure what the reception is like while in a sealed tin can, but installing a nice large antenna on the aircraft is just like on your landcruiser.. easy.

Can't you do that already on commercial flights, albeit at astronomical rates?

And haven't you been able to do that for at least 20 years?

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

[Noistar]

Hold on, there are 4 TG Airbus A340-500 that are no more than 8 years old rotting away at Don Mueang; these aircraft can go anywhere in the world non stop from Thailand. Why can't these be refitted for her VIP use?

TG cannot sell them, bargain, and these planes I like, Ideal for all and will take more than cabinet members. The aircraft are not economical-NORMALLY but with under70 on board they would be, as fuel would be considerably less.

Suppose it's WE WANT NEW as the kids say.

Or my thai wife

[Noistar]

A fairly pointless idea. She will be out of office long before

the planes ever show up. Also feels a bit like Nero fiddling

while Rome burned. There are some serious issues facing this

country such as the rice scam. Yingluck having to lease a

Thai Airways plane for another of her endless shopping trips is

not one of them....

Hence my observation that I trust Abhisit is keeping his eye on the real ball