“The Great Grace of His Majesty”: The King of Thailand Gives Cessna Aircraft to the Army

King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn donated three Cessna 182T aircraft to the country's army for use in humanitarian missions.

The commander-in-chief of the troops, General Apirat Kongsompong, in this regard, declared that such a worthy gift is a great mercy of His Royal Majesty. According to the Ministry of Defense, the vehicles will be put into operation at the Lobburi air base, where they plan to use them for air patrols, to combat drug trafficking and forest fires (apparently to monitor them).

Cessna 182T general-purpose light aircraft transferred to the army with a maximum take-off mass of one and a half tons were released by the American company Textron Aviation. This model was considered by some private US military companies, along with other types, as a promising strike aircraft designed to fight rebels.

Under the previous monarch Phumipon Adulyadej Rama IX, who died in 2016, purchases of short-haul passenger aircraft SSJ-100, made in VIP configuration, began. Then the king’s fortune was estimated at $ 30 billion. By 2019, three cars of this type were purchased. They are exploited in the interests of the royal family, although they are listed on the balance of the Air Force. Allegedly, the SSJ-100 was purchased at the personal expense of the king.

Although the transfer of three light-engine aircraft is a fairly modest gift, but nevertheless it carries a certain semantic load. In general, a good example to follow.

Comments

[rotmistr60]

Commander-in-Chief of the General Apirat Kongsompong in this regard, said that such a worthy gift is a great mercy

According to etiquette, everything that the king gives is a great mercy. But the military will decide how they will use it. Either as listed in the article (it’s very doubtful only for fighting fires), or they will fly to picnics.

[Shurik70]

Quote: rotmistr60

the military will decide how they will use it. Either as listed in the article (it’s very doubtful only for fighting fires), or they will fly to picnics.

Why "doubtful"?
It’s quite suitable for monitoring.
Although (personally my opinion), UAVs are better for monitoring. Cheaper, and there may be more of them.

[igor67]

Quote: rotmistr60

Either as listed in the article (it’s very doubtful only for fighting fires), or they will fly to picnics.

why it is doubtful? in extinguishing the fire, it seems that Tsesna is being used for monitoring at the moment and in your Siberia, today they showed on the news

[Victor67]

I doubt that their warriors will fly to picnics, in Thailand the prestige of military service is at such an unattainable height for us that hardly anyone will think of it. These are not our generals and deputies, who constantly fight in helicopters on picnics, fishing and hunting.

[Angelo Provolone]

but our "bayars" have to "cut their beards." although our army protects their interests too

[Mityasha]

Well done king, maintaining his national armed forces is right. Who, if not the military, will support in difficult times!

[parusnik]

Some of our oligarchs will donate a yacht for the Russian fleet ....?

[Graz]

their king is new silly so

[halpat]

Quote: Graz

their king is new silly so

want to say that the previous one was clever?
I bought 100 SSJ-3s for myself and dropped them on the balance of the Air Force (state), that is, on maintenance due to taxes from citizens!
This is babble compared to Russian ... dodgers.

[AAK]

Rama of the 9th, who ruled for more than 60 years, like his wife, Queen Sirikit, was sincerely respected and revered in Thailand, in fact, he made Thailand from a backward country, which he accepted, in my opinion in 1945 or in 1949, the 4th - 5th in economics in East Asia. Rama the 10th, the son of the previous king, despite the fact that for many years he served as a military and civilian pilot, the people have rather the glory of a play-fight, he had very turbulent youth and middle years, although he was in the army, especially in the Air Force He has a certain authority. Rama the 9th generally wanted to transfer the throne bypassing his son to his grandson, but the guy died during the 2004 tsunami. There is still a monument in Phuket to rescuers who died while searching for the grandson of Rama on the 9th. Familiar Thais told me that the death of the grandson was very difficult for the old king, if it had not happened, then he would probably be still alive.
Well, as for the gift, in my opinion it would be very respectful if the same Vladimir Vladimirovich would give the Air Force at least a nominal drone, and each oligarch - on a registered plane or ship ....

[alien308]

In general, it is now difficult for him against the background of his predecessor. It is necessary to gain political weight. They look at kinsurprise with doubt. And it looks silly to us most likely from a habit of not using this type of face.

[Graz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwYznxHcg8s&feature
yeah well yeah

[Victor67]

As I was in Thailand, I saw how one of our tourists weighing well over 100 kg grabbed a little from a 50-pound Thai for pointing to a banner with the image of a king and laughing in the company of such idiots. Thai boxing is popular there ...

[Free wind]

Good airplane. We can only dream of this. In America, new ones cost more than a million. Although the cost began with 20 thousand. What could be shoved in there, so that the price would soar up. Well, the engines are different, diesel engines are installed, well, navigation. And so in America you can old Tsesna can be bought for 15-20 thousand. True, flying on it will be scary.

[Ros 56]

Has it really been bought and given for your money?