Public ‘can use Air Force C-130 planes’
 The Nation
November 25 , 2005 - Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura said yesterday that the Royal Thai Air Force aircraft that media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul said was used to transport friends of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s sister is sometimes made available for the general public’s use.
Thamarak took the floor to answer an interpellation from Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr regarding allegations that the Air Force allowed Thaksin’s sister, Monthatip Kowitcharoenkul, to use the C-130 aircraft to transport her friends to her house-warming party in Chiang Mai.
Alongkorn asked what criteria the military required to allow the general public to use the state aircraft.
“This particular incident aroused the suspicion of taxpayers. It was interpreted as abuse of the individual’s privileges because despite being the sister of the prime minister, she does not hold a state position,” Alongkorn said.
Sondhi initially brought the public’s attention to the issue with a copy of an official document that suggested that Air Force chief of staff Air Marshal Sukamphol Suwannathat had approved Monthatip’s use of the plane.
Thamarak said all Air Force cargo planes are used regularly to fly to the North and northeastern provinces twice a week to transport supplies.
“If there is space left on the plane, friends and relatives can board the aircraft but they cannot take any legal action in the case of any fatalities caused by an accident,” he said. He added that anyone could seek the Air Force’s permission to use the plane and that the approval of such a request would be based on seat availability.
Alongkorn questioned whether the Air Force had really approved Monthatip’s request, suggesting that military friends of Thaksin could have used the Air Force’s official stationery.
Thamarak said he had ordered an investigation into the use of official stationery and added that anyone found to be abusing official resources would be punished. |
