Probe ordered into pricey audio system for new Thai Cabinet

[media]

I bet they use toilet paper with gold in it, costs 1000 baht per sheet lol

[kimamey]

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

The people you are referring to are responsible for making the crucial decisions at the top, they don't get involved with the procurement process, so don't you think it may be a bit premature to start accusing the military of corruption?

The correct response has been made as they have stated that they are going to investigate the matter, and if some civil servant(s) is/are found to be lining their nest, then no doubt they will come to regret it...!

Unlike the very expensive clock saga that was swept under the carpet by the PTP government, eh...?! Where was the pontificating PTP lawyer on that occasion?

A fair point.

[mike324]

You can find these for around $2300 retail price online. Assuming tax is around 30%, the 99,000 baht figure sold by another local supplier sounds right before they change the price to 199,000 baht probably due to intimidation by the government.

As for people questioning why its so expensive? Its not just a microphone, its basically a mini computer, you can view / share documents, videos, webcams and more. But is it needed? probably not as most politicians are either sleeping or watching porn during these meetings.

[kimamey]

Thais love their microphones. Posters who are / have been involved in teaching will have worked in classrooms where a normal or slightly adjusted voice was adequate but Thai colleagues insisted on a sound system.

In this instance being VIPs the best available is needed so the expense is justified

It seems to be the same for monks as well in my experience even in a small house.

Thais often don't appear to be very good at moderation.

[chotthee]

I'm going to wait and see whether the investigation is about who ordered the expensive mics or about who revealed the secret procurement.

It could be left over orders from Yingluck government.

Another reason why she must be kicked out.

[iReason]

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss...

[iReason]

I bought an industry standard SM58 Shure microphone just last week (in a Mall no less) for 3500B.

[aussieinthailand]

I'm going to wait and see whether the investigation is about who ordered the expensive mics or about who revealed the secret procurement.

It could be left over orders from Yingluck government.

Another reason why she must be kicked out.

Did you really just say that? or just taking the p*ss? and some say I am partisan...

[givenall]

Never changes, any purchases will be jacked up for someone, no matter who is in charge.

[belg]

oh, each microphone was only 99.000 baht ... what is this, a recording studio ?

[Raymonddiaz]

Thai people like microphones.....

[retell]

I bet they use toilet paper with gold in it, costs 1000 baht per sheet lol

No just costs 1000 per sheet

[KhunBoy]

As we all know from previous coups and every successive governments in Thailand its always been one group of mafias replacing another. Nothing has or will change beneath the surface. TIT.

[Fat Haggis]

You can find these for around $2300 retail price online. Assuming tax is around 30%, the 99,000 baht figure sold by another local supplier sounds right before they change the price to 199,000 baht probably due to intimidation by the government.

As for people questioning why its so expensive? Its not just a microphone, its basically a mini computer, you can view / share documents, videos, webcams and more. But is it needed? probably not as most politicians are either sleeping or watching porn during these meetings.

So does a laptop with Skype and Viber installed on it, it seemed to work just fine for Thaksin in Dubai

[wandasloan]

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

Yes but they are going to investigate themselves, so it's all right. They will release results of the investigation when the members of the investigating committee are announced. It is expected to reveal for the first time ever that everything is fine what's the fuss.

.

[Time Traveller]

The only crime here is why they did not buy another 11 microphones they could have qualified for the 100 microphones or more volume discount. At 145,000 baht per microphone, they mave have been able to get one microphone free.

So much has changed since the military has taken over.

[Fat Haggis]

What was wrong with the old communications system they had there? was it sold off, or mothballed into storage?

I'm sure the PM will be seething overt this, and he will do the right thing and either sack the ones responsible, and then state that it will never happen again, but it will, as there's always someone greedy and willing enough to rip off his employers.

For years Saddam Hussain thought he was piling Millions into Chemical weapons production, but he was being ripped off, and the money was being filtered into senior bath party officials accounts, the same thing will happen in Thailand, no matter who is in charge, it's human nature to some.

[wandasloan]

The people you are referring to are responsible for making the crucial decisions at the top, they don't get involved with the procurement process, so don't you think it may be a bit premature to start accusing the military of corruption?

The correct response has been made as they have stated that they are going to investigate the matter, and if some civil servant(s) is/are found to be lining their nest, then no doubt they will come to regret it...!

Unlike the very expensive clock saga that was swept under the carpet by the PTP government, eh...?! Where was the pontificating PTP lawyer on that occasion?

You're a funny man. No purchase of millions of baht is approved by flunkeys. This was done by the head of the Public Works Department, the same as the clocks. The difference is that the clocks were pretty obvious corruption and no one including the PTP lawyers denied it - and didn't have to since PTP had nothing to do with it. Now, after Gen Sarit Himself ordered in a new head of PWD, here we go again with the same old stuff.

And again - it's not the government (Gen Sarit and ministers) that did it but the head of the PWD, which is independent and can buy multi-million clocks, mikes, toilet brushes etc.

The question is whether this new, spiffy, clean government will do something about it. Its own appointee is responsible. Will the guy responsible for the appointee (the prime minister junta chief commander) do anything to show the public he is anti-corruption? Will he make excuses? Will he pretend he didn't see anything? We shall see.

.

[Time Traveller]

What was wrong with the old communications system they had there? was it sold off, or mothballed into storage?

Last years version is now obsolete and at 145,000 baht each unit they got a bargain. Taxpayers money well spent, Congratulations to the Thai military on ending corruption.

[chotthee]

You can find these for around $2300 retail price online. Assuming tax is around 30%, the 99,000 baht figure sold by another local supplier sounds right before they change the price to 199,000 baht probably due to intimidation by the government.

As for people questioning why its so expensive? Its not just a microphone, its basically a mini computer, you can view / share documents, videos, webcams and more. But is it needed? probably not as most politicians are either sleeping or watching porn during these meetings.

So does a laptop with Skype and Viber installed on it, it seemed to work just fine for Thaksin in Dubai

But the microphones itself is more expensive than the most power laptop required for Thaksin's Skype.

[rchapstick]

If the PM was actually serious about fighting corruption, he would use this case to make a big statement. He could appoint an independant prosecutor to investigate the deal, and find out who spec'ed this gold plated attrocity, and then find out who bribed who. Include prosecution for the vendor and for the recipient of the bribe. Let Bosch know that they are off all bid lists until they cough up the individuals paying the bribes. Then swiftly sack and prosecute the offending parties. Make a "public hanging" out of it.

Naturally, i have zero confidence that any of this would actually happen ....

[phanangpete]

'Very Superstitious' sung by, ah we all know that.

Going in by gate nine, must be Chinese descent.

Watch out for the ghosts in there !

[gchurch259]

Thais love their microphones. Posters who are / have been involved in teaching will have worked in classrooms where a normal or slightly adjusted voice was adequate but Thai colleagues insisted on a sound system.

In this instance being VIPs the best available is needed so the expense is justified

The only VIP's in Thailand are the people breaking their backs planting rice and praying it does not get flooded out again !!

As far as I am concerned the only "True VIP" was nailed on a cross 2,014 years ago !!

[DisainaM]

You can find these for around $2300 retail price online. Assuming tax is around 30%, the 99,000 baht figure sold by another local supplier sounds right before they change the price to 199,000 baht probably due to intimidation by the government.

As for people questioning why its so expensive? Its not just a microphone, its basically a mini computer, you can view / share documents, videos, webcams and more. But is it needed? probably not as most politicians are either sleeping or watching porn during these meetings.

if you get the microphone by an online dealer, you will not get his signature on a legal contract with your conditions.

It`s only about the contract, that causes a different risk calculation for the dealer,

why you can`t compare the prices.

Warranty is the key issue.

If you are a dealer, selling this system to the government,

you want to make shure, that political motivated sabotage will not confront you with massive warranty claims,

so, it`s all about the contract and the conditions.

[Pundi6446]

I've really got to say, the merry go round keeps turning, corruption around , around, and around again and again for ever, never to stop, no matter who is puling or pushing the buttons. The saying "Amazing Thailand", will this ride ever end.

They have their heads in the same hole, right up to the neck

[citizen33]

Presumably a top-of-the-range cabinet room communication system is needed so that the boss can hear the chorus of agreement.

[lvr181]

Panadda said: "In all honesty, I wasn't informed of about this issue because the refurbishment of Government House wasn't a political issue."

Did it have to be a political issue to investigate? Non corrupt governance starts at home! At least Panadda has started an investigation now.

[Bernard Flint]

Wait till they start skimming money off to pay for a few hand grenades and a couple of guns lol

[rickirs]

"I wasn't informed of about this issue because the refurbishment of Government House wasn't a political issue."

But he knew taxpayer funds were being used for the procurement. Shouldn't that be sufficient cause in itself to assure that procurement was done responsibly so that no possible corruption will occur? Especially with a newly created government. Otherwise, corruption can potentially run unabated in any government procurement since the NCPO has allegedly removed all vestiges of politics from the government.

[Tchooptip]

My wife told me : Expensive because him want to buy same same Barack Obama