Anupong vows clean armoured car deal

Army chief Anupong Paochinda defended a controversial arms deal between Thailand and the Ukraine under which the Thai army is to procure 96 armoured cars for an estimated 4 billion baht.

Gen Anupong insisted that the deal was “transparent” and that “no foul play was involved” in the procurement process despite former deputy permanent secretary for defence, Banawit Kengrien’s refusal to endorse it.

“Contrary to speculation, the armoured cars are brand new and let me assure you now that the army needs these cars to maintain national security to a satisfactory level,” he explained.

His response came after the issue was raised at Wednesday’s National Legislative Assembly’s ethics debate which questioned the transparency of the procurement deal.

The army has so far not responded to questions raised by the Office of the Auditor-General concerning the deal. Among these points are:

the lack of an after-sales maintenance service agreement

whether the armoured cars in question meet Nato standards

whether the armoured cars are overpriced, and whether the army might have breached bidding laws and regulations

Adm Banawit was recently removed as deputy permanent secretary to defence and transferred to an inactive post.