Thailand’s deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon flies 100km in US$37 million police jet, reigniting backlash against extravagant spending
- Prawit Wongsuwon has become a lightning rod for public suspicion after he failed to declare 25 luxury watches as assets
- Critics have questioned the need for a jet on such a short trip and suggested the aircraft was bought at an inflated price
On the weekend, photos of Prawit disembarking the six-passenger Dassault Falcon 2000S plane went viral. Prawit was saluted by a flight attendant and other officers following a trip to Lopburi province, about 100km from Bangkok.
Prawit was commander-in-chief of the Thai army from 2004-05 and attained the rank of general. He served as defence minister from 2008-11 before resuming the post and also becoming deputy prime minister following the 2014 coup.
Activist Srisuwan Janya filed a complaint to the State Audit Commission, calling for a probe into the purchase of the plane, which was added to the Royal Thai Police fleet in September.
Addressing reporters, Srisuwan questioned the need for such expensive transport on such a short trip and asked: “How necessary it is for the Thai Police to buy such luxurious aircraft when there are already some 71 aircraft in its fleet?”