The classic car owned by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is this French "frog face" Citroen DS 21 from 1972, gold (or bronze brown with a white roof). However, Anutin said this car actually belongs to his son, Peck Seranee Charnvirakul. The Citroen DS 21 is a vintage French brand car, famous for its hydropneumatic suspension. In Thailand, the DS classic is reasonably priced compared to some vintage models collected by wealthy enthusiasts, with prices around 2 million baht or slightly less.
In the world of vintage cars, there are countless highly prized collectibles far more expensive than the DS. The DS is a relatively modest classic with an exceptionally beautiful design that vintage car lovers often favor, and it can be collected without astronomical costs. Unlike some classic cars that display immense wealth, the DS is more understated. The Prime Minister's blue BMW 2002, which will be detailed later, currently sells for between 300,000 and 600,000 baht. At 600,000 baht, it's about the same price as the Jaecoo 5EV. If one calls that expensive, it's hard to say otherwise.
Anutin previously told the media in 2023 that this car was his son's favorite. That year, Professor Dr. Jesada Den-Duangboriban, a biology professor at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Science, posted on Facebook questioning why the vintage 1972 Citroen DS 21 and the BMW mentioned by Anutin, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, were missing from his asset declaration submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Anutin responded in the comments, "Dear Professor Jesada, my son's the owner of the Citroen. The BMW is mine but was only recently purchased, so it wasn't included in my asset declaration when I left the MP position in March. It will be listed in the next declaration after I resumed MP duties in early July 2023. Please correct any news to prevent misunderstandings or damage. I welcome questions but urge confirmed information before publishing. Thank you very much."
The brake system was a groundbreaking innovation, as Citroen was the first to equip all four wheels of the DS with disc brakes supported by hydraulic pressure from the hydropneumatic system. This made braking exceptionally smooth and more effective than traditional drum brakes. Early DS models featured a clutchless gearbox to ease driving. These technologies made the Citroen DS highly advanced for its time. Over its more than 20-year production, the DS offered various engine options and accessories. Later models had larger engines (2,175 cc) to enhance performance. Despite its long lifespan, the DS maintained its original body shape unchanged. This is a classic vehicle difficult to forget; well-preserved DS cars rarely change owners due to their beautiful design and driving performance. At one time, it was truly the automotive industry's god among cars.
Arkom Ruamsuwan
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