Thai Air Force to aid drought relief efforts

[webfact]

Air Force to aid drought relief efforts



BANGKOK, 6 January 2016 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Air Force has expressed its readiness to provide relief efforts during this year’s drought crisis and to solve issues in the civil aviation industry.

Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Trithot Sonjaeng affirmed that the Air Force will continue to carry out the policies of the government and the National Council for Peace and Order, especially regarding matters of national security.

To assist people affected by the drought, Air Force personnel will dig wells to boost water storage and support rainmaking operations. Officials will also increase forest surveillance to prevent wildfires. Drought relief efforts will be organized into jurisdictions to avoid redundancy.

ACM Trithot added that on January 6, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan will hold talks on ways to solve issues in the civil aviation industry. The talks are aimed at raising Thailand’s standards for aviation security and accommodating the inspections of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

-- NNT 2016-01-06

[arthurboy]

Looking into my crystal ball, I see budget requests a plenty for these conveniently vague promises.

It is, however, no wonder that Thailand's bloated military can devote itself to these 'help the people' schemes. After all, it doesn't have anything else to do.

Except spend money on expensive military hardware to show off for a year or two before it starts to become obsolete or the maintenance budget 'dries up'.

[graemeaylward]

Surely, the Air Force, like the Army and Navy, will do exactly as they are told! Or do they have an opt out clause that allows them to refuse the orders of "He who must be obeyed" and the military junta.

[JOC]

>.Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Trithot Sonjaeng affirmed that the Air Force will continue to carry out the policies of the government and the National Council for Peace and Order, especially regarding matters of national security.<< Quote

What he really said: I will be bending over backwards as much as it takes to keep my golden uniform (and the benefits coming with it)

[Enoon]

Imagine the chief of the USAF, RAF or Armee de L'Air saying that they:

"will continue to carry out the policies of the government ..........especially matters of national security".

Why would they need to say that? Why would they do anything else?

[wabothai]

Thank you mr. gold headed airforce. We are so much in your debt.

[trainman34014]

So; the Army is not big enough to carry out well digging tasks and has to call in the Air Force? Of course; the Navy are too busy in Submarine Simulators getting ready for the real thing !

National Security?....don't make me laugh, they can't even stop people getting into the country with fake passports, fake visa's, billions of Baht's worth of narcotics or bomb parts. What they would do (apart from run away) if a real enemy or invader came i would very much like to see.

[Srikcir]

The Thai Air Force will assist people affected by the drought as soon as the military receives its three new Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 airliners valued at $31.7 million USD each as well as six Russian Mi-17 transport helicopters valued at about $29 million USD each - a total of $269 million USD.

Just think how many wells could be dug for $269 million USD. Probably could build a couple resevoirs and a dam instead for the same cost.

[phoenixdoglover]

Personnel will dig wells?

I was up in the village 2 weeks ago. We took a little tour of the farm. The truck mounted genset was powering the well pump. Modest flow. I asked, "How deep is the well?"

The answer, "50 metres...there is not much water."

[Oziex1]

Imagine the chief of the USAF, RAF or Armee de L'Air saying that they:

"will continue to carry out the policies of the government ..........especially matters of national security".

Why would they need to say that? Why would they do anything else?

I think they are reassuring Prayut that they ain't no counter coup scheemers.

Or reassuring themselves that he isn't thinking they are.