Kitchenware manufacturers claim that their meal trays cost 30 % less than army specifications but still meet army specifications.
PUBLISHED: 7 Sep 2024 at 19: 14
Two well-known flatware manufacturers have announced deals that will cost about 30 % less than Royal Thai Army-quality stainless steel meal trays.
Following a controversy in congress over 10, 000 disaster trays, which an opposition MP claims the army purchased at exorbitant prices, Zebra Group and Seagull have taken advantage of a marketing opportunity.
The Women’s Party’s Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn was the first to raise concerns about the Army Ordnance Department’s purchasing. He claimed that 520 baht per piece was a very high price when compared to standard market strategies.
In a social media post, Zebra Group on Friday advertised a six-compartment box for 355 rmb, touting its strength and health. According to the army, the basket is made of food-grade SUS 304 stainless steel and is simple to clean. The product features good aspects of 29 centimetres large, 39cm extended and 2.5cm strong.
Seagull announced via online purchasing applications that it is selling an SUS 304 box, sized at 28.8 by 39.2 by 6 inches with six compartments, for 360 ringgit, which is its normal price and no part of a special offer.
The troops, responding to Mr Wiroj, explained that its SUS 304 trays are 0.8 millimetres wet to maintain strength and durability for everyday employ, even on distant bases. They claimed that military applications would not be served by standard 201-grade stainless steel trays because they were thinner ( 0. 5mm ) and less suitable.
The army claimed that the lowest bet it received for its boxes was 520 ringgit, which was close to the rates charged by competing companies, such as Seagull’s discounted value of 520 ringgit and Zebra’s special price of 515 baht.
Zebra’s regular price for a tray similar to what the troops wanted is 650 baht, said an army official, while Seagull charges 619 baht.
The armed forces argued that the company’s boxes adhered to strict safety and durability requirements for military programs and that fair competition was maintained during the purchasing process.
Mr. Wiroj said during this year’s parliamentary program on the annual expenditure that while the military’s trays are slightly larger than standard models, they do not correspond with soldiers ‘ real meal requirements, and that they are likened to “ritual offerings.”
He suggested that the government may otherwise invest more money in improving military ‘ foods.
He furthermore questioned whether the winning bid was a recognized manufacturer of flatware or a middleman, as is typical with military procurement, who intended to buy the plates from well-known companies.
After bringing up concerns about the army’s higher purchasing costs, People’s Party MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn posted a photo of a coat made of mess trays.