The army on Friday went on the offensive against activist Srisuwan Janya over his call for a probe into its procurement of Italian-made helicopters following the death of King Power International Group chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Mr Srisuwan has petitioned the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) to investigate whether the army purchased the helicopters at an inflated price.
He said he became concerned about the purchases because the choppers were similar models to the helicopter that crashed in Leicester, England last Saturday killing the billionaire
According to the activist, the ill-fated helicopter was an AgustaWestland AW169, which costs around 280 million baht, while the army had purchased older models from the same manufacturer at prices higher than that of Vichai’s helicopter and the listed market price of the same model.
He said he would also petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the same matter next week.
Deputy army spokeswoman Col Sirichan Ngathong, hit back by saying the army's helicopters and the tycoon's could not be compared because they had different specifications and capabilities.
She said the activist's information was inaccurate and could be interpreted as a groundless accusation against the army. She also said it seemed inappropriate to link the tragedy to the army's procurement of its machines.
She defended the army's procurement of the AW139 and AW149 models, saying the purchases were in line with regulations and based on the army's needs.
The AW139 and AW149 models were procured with additional systems which were military in nature while the AW169 used by the tycoon was manufactured for civilian use, she said.
"The AW139 and AW149 can't possibly be compared with the crashed helicopter especially in terms of price. They are different in size, engines, loads, speed, as well as navigational and safety systems. There are additional specifications since the army's helicopters are for military use," she said.
She said the price the army had paid for the AW139 model was for the "total package" which included spare parts and training for the army’s pilots and mechanics among other things.
Col Sirichan said the activist's call for a probe, which seemed to be based on the price alone, beggars belief.
However, she said the army would give full cooperation if an official investigation is ordered.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon also defended the procurement, and echoed Col Sirichan's comment that the army's helicopters were procured based on needs that were different from civilian purposes.
He said the army had already clarified the issue but it apparently fell on deaf ears.
"The procurement deal was carried out in a government-to-government manner too. It can be examined," he added.
It was the second time the army had addressed the matter.
On Thursday, army spokesman Col Winthai Suvaree pointed out the higher prices paid by the army included the cost of simulation training for pilots in each new model purchased, spare parts, and training for the army’s mechanics.
The 280 million baht price tag on Vichai’s helicopter that Mr Srisuwan had cited was apparently the price for the helicopter, while the pilots were hired and maintenance paid for separately, he said.