Thai flying in the face of progress

THINKBOX

Published: 27 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Life

When Sorajak Kasemsuvan, THAI's president, announced last week that he would bring back glory for Thailand's flag carrier and introduce its best-ever products next year, I wanted to hear something more. Something a little more aggressive such as making THAI one of the top three airlines in the world.

THAI was recently placed ninth in the World's Best Airline of the Year, dropping from fifth place last year and from fourth in 2008, according to Skytrax's annual worldwide passenger satisfaction survey. THAI is not even listed among the top 10 Best Airline Cabins for first and business classes. Even for food, which was once the pride of THAI, our national airline failed to reach the top 10 for first and business classes, having to console itself with fifth place for economy class.

Things need to change. For many years THAI has not been able to compete with market leaders like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, nor even with rising stars of the Middle East such as Qatar and Emirates.

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Renaissance
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Discussion 3 : 27 Nov 2012 at 21.443
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If the THAI President were to open a 5-star hotel, I think that the services and facilities would make the hotel 3-star at best. I don't mean this personally, but he and his team clearly have no clue about the level at which the concept of service is pitched nowadays. Everything should be a truly memorable experience, not "Well, it's OK". Poor THAI!
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franklin
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Discussion 2 : 27 Nov 2012 at 19.002
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The new Thai leader is as clueless as what to do as he is why Thai took a nose dive. First off too many passengers are tired of the low class service, high-class prices and holier-than-thou attitude of the attendants. Ten years ago in Los Angeles I was stunned at the number of Thais who would not fly Thai Airways because of the second-class treatment they received. Maybe Thai should become an airline solely for transporting the almighty and god-like Thai government; at taxpayers’ expense of course.
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dao
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Discussion 1 : 27 Nov 2012 at 15.031
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Thai can drop its prices and become like everyone else instead of under performing because they think they are some how superior to everyone else or just really out of touch .30 percent discount would be a start .
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Thai flying in the face of progress | Bangkok Post: opinion