PM opens fire on armoured vehicle deal | Bangkok Post: news

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PM opens fire on armoured vehicle deal

The cabinet has approved an amendment to the contract to buy 96 armoured personnel carriers from Ukraine after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva voiced strong concern over several issues with the purchase.

The key change is to purchase US engines instead of Germany's Deutz BF 6m015.

Deputy government spokesman Watchara Kannikar said Mr Abhisit fired several questions at army staff, in particular asking why Germany had refused to sell engines to Thailand for the APCs.

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Your comments

  • Octavian

    Discussion 7 : 10/09/2010 at 10:46 AM7

    I can only applaude the German nation. German citizens should be proud today.

  • Hypocrisy

    Discussion 6 : 08/09/2010 at 11:41 AM6

    Where are they going to park an aircraft carrier? and where are they going to get the pilots from?

    Amazing Thailand!

  • Somboon

    Discussion 5 : 08/09/2010 at 09:22 AM5

    See, I told you that Abhisit is all about "image." He is acting to make himself look good, but eventually he will approve the contract for the soon to be useless Ukraine product.

    Why buy from the Ukraine, but then have different parts from different countries? How our Thai leaders buying products for national or non-national security has got to be totally overhauled.

    Another word, it is always corruption involved.

  • thong

    Discussion 4 : 08/09/2010 at 09:11 AM4

    It looks like another PR exercise so that the real issues related to weapons shopping do not surface and get discussed.

  • Bangkok Rebel

    Discussion 3 : 08/09/2010 at 08:44 AM3

    Great from Germany, the UK and the US... Now convince Sweden to cancel the delivery of the Saab Grippen fighter jets... Scandinavia is known for its stand in Human Rights issues...so it should not be a problem...

  • Mike

    Discussion 2 : 08/09/2010 at 07:24 AM2

    At least for once I am proud of my fellow Germans.
    They passed on the correct message, though I doubt the responsible government officials will get it.

  • Albert Park

    Discussion 1 : 08/09/2010 at 02:59 AM1

    Panitan finally gets something right: "Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said Germany refused to sell the Deutz engines because of the European Union's policy not to supply weaponry to countries where human rights, border and ethnic problems exist to prevent the weapons being used for violent suppression." He refers to Thailand.

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