Thai MP calls for budget cuts to Police Aviation Division over transparency concerns

During a parliamentary debate regarding the 2027 fiscal year budget, People's Party MP Thanadet Pengsuk called for a complete reduction of the budget allocated to the Royal Thai Police Aviation Division. Pengsuk raised concerns over transparency in aircraft maintenance procurement and the division's operational efficiency.

According to Pengsuk, the division possesses 41 aircraft but only 8 are currently operational. He highlighted irregularities in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for maintenance projects, specifically citing the establishment of a committee known as CAMO. He argued that this committee's structure overlaps with the services provided by Thai Airways and grants excessive power to a specific individual, referred to as ‘Dr. W.,’ to select contractors without oversight.

The MP noted that despite significant annual budgets for maintenance, previous funds have not been fully utilized, and he intends to request an investigation by the Police Committee into these procurement processes.