A photograph, allegedly depicting the ill-fated Bell 212 police helicopter that met its demise in a tragic crash last week, surfaced on a document shared by the widely recognized investigative platform, CSI LA, this past Wednesday. The photo, bearing testament to the unfolding mystery, has stirred conversations about a shocking event that left three police officers lifeless in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Online discussions have pointed fingers towards potential persistent malfunctions, raising questions about whether inadequate maintenance or pilot error was to blame for this devastating incident.
The Bell 212 chopper, a veteran of the skies at nearly 40 years old, met its end on May 24 in the Muang district. The tragic crash resulted in the loss of Pol Maj Pratuang Chulert, Pol Capt Songpol Boonchai, and a dedicated mechanic, Pol Lt Thinakrit Suwannoi. This catastrophe prompted the national police chief, Kittharath Punpetch, to temporarily ground all police aircraft until thorough safety assessments are conducted.
Adding to the alarming pattern, just under a month prior, on April 25, another police aircraft – a DHC6-400 Twin Otter – plummeted near the beach in Cha-am district of Phetchaburi province, just a stone’s throw from Hua Hin Airport, claiming the lives of six individuals. With two aerial disasters within such a short timeframe and no definitive answers, the national police chief himself acknowledged the anomaly.
CSI LA, with an audience of 1.4 million strong, didn’t hold back in their revelations. On Wednesday, their Facebook post bore an eye-catching headline: “Exposed: plane crashes are not accidents, they are results of corruption.” Alongside this bold claim were purported images of the Bell 212 and a document referencing an earlier incident alleging malfunctions in Udon Thani province on November 20, 2024. This report claimed issues with the pedals and throttle, leading the pilots to undertake a perilous emergency landing – all without the helicopter receiving the necessary repairs or attention since.
Further fanning the flames was another image from an online conversation, wherein an unnamed individual alleged that out of the 63 helicopters within the Thai Police Aviation Division, a paltry nine were operational. The rest, it alleged, were grounded, with maintenance efforts described as nothing more than superficial gestures meant to secure budget approvals.
In a candid media engagement on Wednesday, Pol Gen Kittharath illuminated the situation, revealing the startling figures: 11 airplanes and 71 helicopters were within their fleet, with a mere 30 aircraft actively in use. The age of these aerial vehicles ranged from ancient at over 40 years to relatively new at three to four years.
Amidst the storm of inquiries, more light was shed by a poignant message from Anuwat Raksayot, a close friend of one of the fallen pilots. He shared a riveting screenshot of a private Instagram direct message exchanged between himself and Pol Maj Pratuang, affectionately known as Job. Critical words from Job voiced concerns about the readiness of the helicopter for flight, just a day before the tragic event unfolded. Anuwat, not a pilot but a concerned friend, passionately stated, “I’m not a pilot. I’m a friend. And I don’t want anyone to lose their lives by a cause that could have been prevented.”
In the wake of these revelations, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has summoned the national police chief to deliver an update on the progress of their investigations, alongside strategies to forestall future tragedies. She has emphasized the need for a comprehensive audit of all aircraft within the Police Aviation Division, considerations for budget reallocation, and an urgent search for newer, safer aircraft to support future operations.
Pol Gen Kittharath has reiterated that investigations are ongoing, assuring that every possible facet, whether stemming from official channels or informal online conversations, will be meticulously examined to arrive at substantial conclusions.
Seems like corruption and neglect are bigger villains here than pilot error!
Absolutely, if the helicopters aren’t properly maintained, tragedies like this are inevitable. But where’s the accountability?
Exactly! It’s infuriating that lives are lost due to preventable issues. Someone needs to answer for this.
On point, but isn’t government oversight supposed to catch these issues sooner?
You can’t just blame corruption. Sometimes these old birds give up no matter what.
Incredible how they have helicopters from 40 years ago still flying. We need new tech!
New tech isn’t always the answer; it’s how you maintain what you have. Proper upkeep could make these old helicopters as reliable as new ones.
But isn’t newer tech safer overall? Something doesn’t add up here.
Agree to a point, but outdated models only exacerbate the issue. Less margin for error.
Those poor families left behind must be devastated. When will this negligence end?
CSI LA’s headline is provocative but accurate. Crashes aren’t just accidents. Think about the repetitive failures!
Pol Gen Kittharath has a tough job. Hoping he reveals something groundbreaking soon.
I doubt anything substantial will come out… They just want to save face.
It’s crazy that only 30 of their 82 aircraft are active. That’s a disaster waiting to happen!
What’s insane is that they still allocate budget as if everything is operational. That’s dangerous and misleading.
Misleading for sure. They need an overhaul of their entire aviation budget strategy.
Shocking to find out about how many are grounded. A comprehensive audit isn’t just needed, it’s overdue.
Totally agree, but will they actually follow through with it or is it just talk?
If public pressure keeps mounting, they might have no choice but to act.
Just imagine how many more lives could be lost if they don’t audit soon. It’s a ticking time bomb.
They’re cutting corners for budget and risking lives. We need transparency in these processes.
This is what happens when budget cuts hit safety! You end up with machines that are relics.
It feels like the deeper issue is cultural within the department. This needs systemic change, not just more funding.
There should be an independent investigation; someone needs to hold these officials accountable.
And to think we trust these aircraft to handle emergencies! That’s terrifying.
This whole situation is giving me major conspiracy vibes. Are we sure we’re getting the whole truth here?