New Airbus in commission at Royal Thai Air Force

[Lite Beer]

New Airbus in commission at Royal Thai Air Force

BANGKOK, 11 September 2015 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has held a delivery ceremony of a new military aircraft which will be used for non-war missions.

The delivery of Airbus ACJ 320 took place at Military Terminal 2 in Bangkok. Deputy PM and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan presided over the ceremony. The aircraft was purchased under the RTAF procurement project of a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons.

Aside from transporting important persons, the airbus will be used for humanitarian missions such as evacuation of disaster-affected Thais living overseas and peace-keeping operations.

The ACJ320 boasts the most spacious cabin in the corporate jet market. The double engine airplane can seat up to 75 passengers and fly at a maximum distance of 5,900 kilometers or around seven hours when filled up.

The airbus is based at Royal Flight Squadron 602, Wing 6 in Bangkok.

-- NNT 2015-09-12

[MZurf]

"...a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons."

Yes, because that's what these guys need; more pampering paid for by the tax payers. All hail Uncle Too for steering Thailand onto the correct path!!

[Stradavarius37]

"In commission"... Really? Is someone drunk at the editor booth?

[rheinwiese]

"...a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons."

Yes, because that's what these guys need; more pampering paid for by the tax payers. All hail Uncle Too for steering Thailand onto the correct path!!

The bird was ordered in 2013.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Defence-wins-Bt3-4bn-budget-for-Airbus-ACJ320-jet-30209122.html

[MZurf]

"...a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons."

Yes, because that's what these guys need; more pampering paid for by the tax payers. All hail Uncle Too for steering Thailand onto the correct path!!

The bird was ordered in 2013.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Defence-wins-Bt3-4bn-budget-for-Airbus-ACJ320-jet-30209122.html

Doesn't matter.These guys have never been under the control of any elected government.

[I knew this would happen]

"high-ranking and prominent persons"

Always thought that this is the task of Thai Airways....... maybe shareing first class with other "peasants" is not good enough anymore

[MZurf]

"...a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons."

Yes, because that's what these guys need; more pampering paid for by the tax payers. All hail Uncle Too for steering Thailand onto the correct path!!

The bird was ordered in 2013.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Defence-wins-Bt3-4bn-budget-for-Airbus-ACJ320-jet-30209122.html

Indeed, All Hail Auntie Poo for steering Thailand onto the correct path!

But then, she had a guiding predecessor who also liked Airbus:

Thaksin's costly air taxi

Thailand recently took delivery of a customised Airbus A319 jet liner, which has been fitted out so that the premier and his 40 cabinet ministers can discuss urgent matters of state in comfort while hurtling through the skies.

Before acquiring his very own "Air Force One" Thaksin had to make do with rather basic air force jets. The new aircraft, with its on-board cabinet meeting room, is reported to have cost Bt1.1 Billion of taxpayer's money.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/73451d48-006b-11d9-ad31-00000e2511c8.html

Indeed. And wasn't the coup instigated to put an end to such practices?

[lannarebirth]

"...a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons."

That's not the funny part, that's a given. This is the funny part:

"the airbus will be used for humanitarian missions such as evacuation of disaster-affected Thais living overseas"

[brucec64]

"...a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons."

Yes, because that's what these guys need; more pampering paid for by the tax payers. All hail Uncle Too for steering Thailand onto the correct path!!

The bird was ordered in 2013.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Defence-wins-Bt3-4bn-budget-for-Airbus-ACJ320-jet-30209122.html

Indeed, All Hail Auntie Poo for steering Thailand onto the correct path!

But then, she had a guiding predecessor who also liked Airbus:

Thaksin's costly air taxi

Thailand recently took delivery of a customised Airbus A319 jet liner, which has been fitted out so that the premier and his 40 cabinet ministers can discuss urgent matters of state in comfort while hurtling through the skies.

Before acquiring his very own "Air Force One" Thaksin had to make do with rather basic air force jets. The new aircraft, with its on-board cabinet meeting room, is reported to have cost Bt1.1 Billion of taxpayer's money.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/73451d48-006b-11d9-ad31-00000e2511c8.html

Meanwhile, in other news, farmers have been ordered to not plant a second crop this year.

[mikemac]

"...a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons."

Yes, because that's what these guys need; more pampering paid for by the tax payers. All hail Uncle Too for steering Thailand onto the correct path!!

The bird was ordered in 2013.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Defence-wins-Bt3-4bn-budget-for-Airbus-ACJ320-jet-30209122.html

Indeed, All Hail Auntie Poo for steering Thailand onto the correct path!

But then, she had a guiding predecessor who also liked Airbus:

Thaksin's costly air taxi

Thailand recently took delivery of a customised Airbus A319 jet liner, which has been fitted out so that the premier and his 40 cabinet ministers can discuss urgent matters of state in comfort while hurtling through the skies.

Before acquiring his very own "Air Force One" Thaksin had to make do with rather basic air force jets. The new aircraft, with its on-board cabinet meeting room, is reported to have cost Bt1.1 Billion of taxpayer's money.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/73451d48-006b-11d9-ad31-00000e2511c8.html

And there I was thinking MZurf could not possibly make himself look any sillier ! How wrong can you get ?

Anyone with even a limited amount of grey matter would know these types of purchases don't happen overnight. It was pretty obvious this plane was ordered a fair while ago.

[ldiablo]

What ever happened to the PM's comment about how officials should travel economy class on airplanes?

[NongKhaiKid]

"...a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons."

That's not the funny part, that's a given. This is the funny part:

"the airbus will be used for humanitarian missions such as evacuation of disaster-affected Thais living overseas"

Humanitarian missions providing it's not need for more important missions such as ferrying VIPs around.

[oneday]

So the air force gets an Airbus. Oh, the parties they will throw on that behemoth. Now the navy will ramp up their request to buy submarines again. Can't wait to see what the army will be getting.

[Reigntax]

So the air force gets an Airbus. Oh, the parties they will throw on that behemoth. Now the navy will ramp up their request to buy submarines again. Can't wait to see what the army will be getting.

With Thai maintenance it could be the navy's first sub.

[BSJ]

So, god forbid, should a ground to air missile hit the plane with 75 Generals on board causing loss of all life that would mean the military would only have 4925 generals left.

[Searat7]

75 seats in a plane this size must mean they are all first class seats. Why not give the Air Force one of the many old planes being sold by Thai Airways instead. Better than buying submarines though !

[mikemac]

What ever happened to the PM's comment about how officials should travel economy class on airplanes?

Whatever happened to people reading the comments previously posted before adding their comment ?

Try to keep up, the plane was ordered by Yingluck, not the current PM.

[MZurf]

What ever happened to the PM's comment about how officials should travel economy class on airplanes?

Whatever happened to people reading the comments previously posted before adding their comment ?

Try to keep up, the plane was ordered by Yingluck, not the current PM.

Actually, the plane was ordered by the military. You know, the guys who are not answering to any elected official? Still no clue??

Not surprised.

[bangon04]

"a new military aircraft which will be used for non-war missions"

eerr does that mean the others have at some time been used for War Missions??? I must have missed those news stories..I was under the impression that the RTAF has never participated in any war missions since - 1945?? if then.

Anyway - best not to land the nice new Airbus in Germany unless everyone is sure that all outstanding bills are paid. Rememebr what happened last time...

Edited September 12, 2015 by bangon04

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

What ever happened to the PM's comment about how officials should travel economy class on airplanes?

Not that it won't be used for OTHER civilian VIP purposes also, but I'm guessing the main purpose of this jet has more of a higher up flavor to it.

And I don't think that group of exalted folks ever travel in economy class.

[shaurene]

"...a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons."

Yes, because that's what these guys need; more pampering paid for by the tax payers. All hail Uncle Too for steering Thailand onto the correct path!!

It is the same in most other countries, they have a plane in their air forces for the same thing, not just Thailand mate.

[elgordo38]

"...a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons."

Yes, because that's what these guys need; more pampering paid for by the tax payers. All hail Uncle Too for steering Thailand onto the correct path!!

They want to fly in comfort when they fly over drought stricken areas.

[mikemac]

"...a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons."

Yes, because that's what these guys need; more pampering paid for by the tax payers. All hail Uncle Too for steering Thailand onto the correct path!!

You were quick to blame "Uncle Too" in your comment, for spending the tax payer's money on "more pampering". Must hurt you to know the deal was approved by the previous government.

I guess you owe your Uncle an apology !

[Basil B]

Gold fitting in the carzy???

Well you certainly can get a few golf bags and club cars in the hold...

Hope they will be getting an A380 with with far superior fittings for the Royal Flight...

Edited September 12, 2015 by Basil B

[EnglishJohn]

So, god forbid, should a ground to air missile hit the plane with 75 Generals on board causing loss of all life that would mean the military would only have 4925 generals left.

No fear of that. The M79 is the weapon of choice for the non-muslim Thai terrorist because it just has a simple trigger and a big hole to remind you where the bomb comes out.

Give them a missile and they will still be trying to read to first page of the manual long after the aircraft is gone.

[cracker1]

If you are in the Airline business and flying or loading aircraft the same as this, can you please confirm the numbers quoted from this story ?

The ACJ320 boasts the most spacious cabin in the corporate jet market. The double engine airplane can seat up to 75 passengers and fly at a maximum distance of 5,900 kilometers or around seven hours when filled up.

[kareona]

This is 'sufficiency economy'.

The defence budget (more than double now since 2006) is the only state budget never discussed or scrutinized in parlement, except for some extraordinary expenditures. The military gets the money and it is nobody's business what they do with it. The military is a state in the state, accountable only to themselves.

[casualbiker]

If you are in the Airline business and flying or loading aircraft the same as this, can you please confirm the numbers quoted from this story ?

The ACJ320 boasts the most spacious cabin in the corporate jet market. The double engine airplane can seat up to 75 passengers and fly at a maximum distance of 5,900 kilometers or around seven hours when filled up.

http://www.baviation.cn/en/oem/all/airbus/2900-airbus-acj320-overview-2008-present

[MobileContent]

What ever happened to the PM's comment about how officials should travel economy class on airplanes?

Whatever happened to people reading the comments previously posted before adding their comment ?

Try to keep up, the plane was ordered by Yingluck, not the current PM.

Yingluck tried to keep the generals happy but on the end they took over. Prayuth should have canceled the purchase or took one of the THAI planes.

[casualbiker]

This is probably WHY it was ordered: the Shinawatra's keeping up with the neighbours!

" Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ 320) executive aircraft that is newly acquired by the government made its first official flight ferrying Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah today.

The Prime Minister's Department (JPM) in a statement here today said the aircraft ferrying his majesty departed at 10 am from the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport here to Langkawi Island.

"The acquisition of the ACJ 320 aircraft is to replace the 16-year-old Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) which is in the process of being disposed. The decision to replace the BBJ was made in 2013 because of rising maintenance costs due to age and security risk factors," it said."

Source:

http://malaysiagazette.com/en/national/ajc-320-executive-jet-make-first-official-flight-ferrying-agong