Bus, Leases, Gripen, Jets

One one hand we have a potential 60+ billion Baht deal for 4,000 buses and at the height of the bus lease uproar we had the following op-eds and editorials from The Nation which have been critical of the bus lease deal (well, it is easier to go through The Nation's articles, there would be a slightly smaller number from the Bangkok Post, but they have also been very critical):

Editorial "Abhisit, Democrat party at crossroad", The Nation, June 2, 2009

Sopon Onkgara "Prime Minister Abhisit is walking on a path of thorns", The Nation, June 2, 2009

Tulsathit Taptim, "Judgement Day for 'Buses from Hell", The Nation, June 3, 2009

Suthichai Yoon, "Forget the Cabinet, Mr PM, take a public bus ride", The Nation, June 4, 2009

Thanong Khanthong, "Politicians pushing for NGV buses deserve their 'reward'", The Nation, June 5, 2009

Editorial "Abhisit facing dreaded ghost from the past", The Nation, June 7, 2009

Pridiyathorn Devakula, "In these troubled times, people look to honest leadership", The Nation, June 8, 2009

In 2007, the military spent 19.5 billion baht on the first batch of Gripen jets whereas the price paid by Thailand is almost double of that for other countries (yes, there is some maintenance, training, and add-ons, but this is 9 billion odd). However, tens of billion more baht will be spent in the coming years given up to 40 will likely be purchased in the long-term.

Yet, the purchase of the Gripen jets happens and we have nothing - tried a variety of searches, but couldn't find a single op-ed/editorial on the issue from The Nation. Fonzi makes a good case based on overseas experience of corruption being involved in many instances of the purchase of the Gripen jets - also see this post - so what is the chance of this also happening for Thailand? Surely, we should at least being having some questions about the deal.

Why none? This doesn't apply just to The Nation (their site is just much easier to search than others). Are they afraid of those in the miltiary? If not the military then who? Was there anyone else influential who had involvement in the deal? Pigs will fly before there is an investigation and that will only lead to speculation as to why and how powerful someone with a connection to Sweden must be. Anyone visiting around that time to seal the deal? A pity that no questions will be asked so we will never know...