Thai police have spent exorbitant funds to repair the water cannon trucks used to batter members of the public with chemical irritants.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau yesterday awarded a THB47 million (US$1.39 million) contract to K Tree Corporation Co., Ltd. to repair five high-pressure water cannon trucks used by police against pro-democracy protesters, according to procurement records.
The police bureau said the high price included VAT, taxes, transportation costs, registration fees and other expenses.
That’s a lot of money for a company which showed only THB39.3 million baht in revenues last year and net profits of only THB323,000, according to the government business registry. The company has been registered since 1995 as an experimental R&D firm and wholesaler of weapons and ammunition. Its total assets are THB91 million.
It’s been one year since police first fired water cannons spiked with chemical agents against protesters at Pathumwan Intersection. Despite the rising use of brutal force against anti-government protesters in the past year, the police unflinchingly blame the public, even at peaceful rallies, for justifying their use of violence.
The announcement was met with criticism from those who said the irregular cost was a stalking horse for padding corrupt pockets.
“They use people’s tax money to buy these damn trucks to attack protesters again to protest the stupid dictator,” wrote Songsak Thititharawat, a police trainer and former deputy provincial police chief in Phayao. “Then they will fix the trucks with THB47 million from people’s tax money again just to hurt people again. What a cycle!”
“What are you actually repairing with THB47 million!? It costs on average THB10 million per truck. If you buy a new truck, wouldn’t it be better?” Facebook user Teppakorn Karnketklang wrote.
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