Have You Had Enough Of Bangkok Airways?

[snakehips]

Just had to redirect my Girlfriends flight to samui-pattaya because of the problems in Bangkok. I was surprised to hear Bangkok Airways have changed the price from 2155b ++ to an all inclusive 4000b. When i asked about the old price they said it was promotional and this was the new price.(very nice not to add a fuel surcharge but i am pretty sure its hidden in this new price) I was a little anoyed that they tried to tell me the price has not gone up, and it was always this price but yet somebody has deleted the old Utapao fare from their web page????

I dont know how everybody else feels but i have had enough of them squeezing the life out of tourism on this Island, in the current economic climate do we need a Boutique Airline? 4000b for a 40min flight on a twin prop is really two much. I feel they are trying to make the most out of the situation in Bangkok. It looks like all tourists are getting redirected this way and they are trying to milk it as much as possible.

They have a bus going to Bangkok from Utapao but they cannot say how much.

Also can somebody tell me whats boutique about walking 1km to the Departure gate and a inedible chicken roll sandwich/ fake orange 'juice'?

[Boater]

bring an Easyjet or AirAsia service to Samui --- 99 THB One Way ! , will boast Tourism !

[mattias33]

bring an Easyjet or AirAsia service to Samui --- 99 THB One Way ! , will boast Tourism !

The 2 biggest tourism-killers on koh samui is still Bangkok airways monopoly situation and the crazy Taxi-maffia.

My oppinion

[samuibeachcomber]

Just had to redirect my Girlfriends flight to samui-pattaya because of the problems in Bangkok. I was surprised to hear Bangkok Airways have changed the price from 2155b ++ to an all inclusive 4000b. When i asked about the old price they said it was promotional and this was the new price.(very nice not to add a fuel surcharge but i am pretty sure its hidden in this new price) I was a little anoyed that they tried to tell me the price has not gone up, and it was always this price but yet somebody has deleted the old Utapao fare from their web page????

I dont know how everybody else feels but i have had enough of them squeezing the life out of tourism on this Island, in the current economic climate do we need a Boutique Airline? 4000b for a 40min flight on a twin prop is really two much. I feel they are trying to make the most out of the situation in Bangkok. It looks like all tourists are getting redirected this way and they are trying to milk it as much as possible.

They have a bus going to Bangkok from Utapao but they cannot say how much.

Also can somebody tell me whats boutique about walking 1km to the Departure gate and a inedible chicken roll sandwich/ fake orange 'juice'?

they were offering a special internet price samui-bangkok 2500 baht each way,if they are re-routing flights to pattaya price should stay the same and include frre bus to bangkok.

[MSingh]

bring an Easyjet or AirAsia service to Samui --- 99 THB One Way ! , will boast Tourism !

The 2 biggest tourism-killers on koh samui is still Bangkok airways monopoly situation and the crazy Taxi-maffia.

My oppinion

HOLD THE BACK PAGE - MSingh & mattias33 in complete agreement, shock horror !!

[mattias33]

bring an Easyjet or AirAsia service to Samui --- 99 THB One Way ! , will boast Tourism !

The 2 biggest tourism-killers on koh samui is still Bangkok airways monopoly situation and the crazy Taxi-maffia.

My oppinion

HOLD THE BACK PAGE - MSingh & mattias33 in complete agreement, shock horror !!

With highdiver off the forum for some days and msingh starting to agree with me i might just stop posting for some time out of boreness.... .

Whats next? Sbk or boo bying me a drink?

[malcolmswaine]

Sadly there's not much alternative at the moment. Bus and boat just takes so long. Its a shame the plans for the second airport were abandoned.

[SamuiJens]

I say boycott th BAsterds!

[thaierless]

bring an Easyjet or AirAsia service to Samui --- 99 THB One Way ! , will boast Tourism !

The 2 biggest tourism-killers on koh samui is still Bangkok airways monopoly situation and the crazy Taxi-maffia.

My oppinion

Completely agree!....maybe we should takeover the airport until BA agrees to stepdown??

[pammy123]

Surely your complaint originates from the wreckless actions of the PAD, Bangkok Air did not create the problem and have been very quick to what they can to advise passangers, I am currently in Bangkok waiting to get back to Samui and have received 2 SMS TEXTS FROM THEM WITH UPDATED ADVICE.

note bangkok airport closed for at least 2 more days.

[thaierless]

Surely your complaint originates from the wreckless actions of the PAD, Bangkok Air did not create the problem and have been very quick to what they can to advise passangers, I am currently in Bangkok waiting to get back to Samui and have received 2 SMS TEXTS FROM THEM WITH UPDATED ADVICE.

note bangkok airport closed for at least 2 more days.

Pammy, do you live on Samui?

[snakehips]

They send you the SMS because they are 'boutique'..i would rather have Air Asia...by the way who also send SMS's...

Sure PAD should not go along this road but we are talking about Bangkok Airways and tourists getting 'Milked'.....i think it may be a wise move to get off this Island because all i see is dark clouds.... 400 people a day arriving 2 weeks ago from a low season average of 1200.....just when you think it can not get worse....this happens and i believe it will only get worse for the Island.

just got back from Bali...it was busy,cheap,stylish and the taxi drivers turn meters on.......samui has so much competition for a shrinking market.

[BusyBee123]

you moaning about Samui now as well as Bangkok Air? anything else while you're on a roll?

[snakehips]

Price of advertising dear .........

[davee58]

I have always been happy with Bangkok Air , no problems, nice service, and a good baggage allowance (extra 10Kg with their frequent flyer scheme).

On their website they now clearly state that flights cancelled due to the PAD actions will receive a free full refund. Link Here

Under the present difficult circumstances they have been able to re-book you on a different route, but the available fare for the new route is different.

What is the problem with that?? Would you have complained if the Pattaya fare had been cheaper than the original Bangkok fair, and you had got a refund??

Blame the people who have closed Bangkok airports, many people will end up considerably more out of pocket than you, due to this situation.

.

[limbos]

If BKK air really would like to take advantage, why do they only have one flight per day on right now? They could be milking the cow with more flights, since untill 3rd Dec all flights PTY -SAM are fully booked.

Stop whining, your gf made it on a plane and is where you want her to be, thousands of folks are stuck somewhere in the world because they can't move to or from BKK.

Pathetic comes to mind.

[sbk]

If BKK air really would like to take advantage, why do they only have one flight per day on right now? They could be milking the cow with more flights, since untill 3rd Dec all flights PTY -SAM are fully booked.

Stop whining, your gf made it on a plane and is where you want her to be, thousands of folks are stuck somewhere in the world because they can't move to or from BKK.

Pathetic comes to mind.

I think I recall reading in another thread that the number of planes was limited, due to them being stuck in Bangkok?

[snakehips]

Get your fact right guys, four planes to Utapao yesterday from samui, more today. My beef is why have they put the price up 30% when fuel has dropped by 70%.

But anyway news just in Bangkok Airways are talking about 5500b all in return from BKK-SAM...that will help tourism on the island for sure!!

Edited November 28, 2008 by snakehips

[pammy123]

Get your fact right guys, four planes to Utapao yesterday from samui, more today. My beef is why have they put the price up 30% when fuel has dropped by 70%.

But anyway news just in Bangkok Airways are talking about 5500b all in return from BKK-SAM...that will help tourism on the island for sure!!

They are not talking about it I paid 5500 for my return ticket 10 days ago, the offer is running until 31st March

[limbos]

BKK air is definately not making it public that they increased flights, their website shows one flight.

I had my parents come down to Samui today in a rented mini van with driver, will pick them at Nathon later today, they arrived in BKK on a Thai Airways flight on the 26th. They left Europe knowing what was going on in BKK, but I think TG rather have their planes in BKK than somehwere else. Many other flights didn't leave Europe or turned around half way.

[SamuiJens]

BKK air is definately not making it public that they increased flights, their website shows one flight.

I had my parents come down to Samui today in a rented mini van with driver, will pick them at Nathon later today, they arrived in BKK on a Thai Airways flight on the 26th. They left Europe knowing what was going on in BKK, but I think TG rather have their planes in BKK than somehwere else. Many other flights didn't leave Europe or turned around half way.

What that cost your parents? Just wondering.

[LaoPo]

Let's Celebration Starts at The Library Samui - Bangkok Airways

From: http://flyerbonus.com/ffp/promotion_detail...mp;type=news_en

How on earth can they send such a stupid email to their clients ? (received this morning), knowing that ALL possible travelers are sick and tired of the blockades.....and NOT ABLE TO FLY...

Surely there MUST be someone rather intelligent at BKK Airways who would have instructed staff: "STOP that promotion mail..NOW"

I must be wrong, assuming that there IS someone intelligent....

LaoPo

[mattias33]

They send you the SMS because they are 'boutique'..i would rather have Air Asia...by the way who also send SMS's...

Sure PAD should not go along this road but we are talking about Bangkok Airways and tourists getting 'Milked'.....i think it may be a wise move to get off this Island because all i see is dark clouds.... 400 people a day arriving 2 weeks ago from a low season average of 1200.....just when you think it can not get worse....this happens and i believe it will only get worse for the Island.

just got back from Bali...it was busy,cheap,stylish and the taxi drivers turn meters on.......samui has so much competition for a shrinking market.

I have never been to Bali myself, but i know for a fact that when the Bali bombs came on, at the time Bali was a very big tourist-destination for people from my origin, and most of them stopped going there. Some of them discovered Samui, others phuket and so on. You are right in the fact that the tourist nr are getting smaller. Less people to compete about. Due to economic situation in Eurpoe a big percent will not even afford their yearly holiday this year, and the more bad word gets out there koh Samui, and even Thailand all in all are loosing potential big oney spenders. It only take a few newspapers with bad publicity, to change the destination of this years holiday to Brazil or something elese. Maybe Bali as you say.

Sidepoint: My neighbour is the manager for one of the highclass hotels in Lamai. I had a quick chat with him yesterday and asked "how´s buisness?". He answered "worse than ever". And he said that this years upcoming "highseason" many hotels on this island will have to close down.

If you are in Europe, planning your 2 weeks/year with sunshine, your about to buy a ticket now. Then you read about the floodings on samui, you know already about the taxiscams, and to top it of this PAD thing comes on. If you are still having your eye on Koh Samui i bet the BA monopoly is just the thing that would get those plans completely grounded. This is not in anyway some kind of "words of visdom", i´m just speculating here, but i have to say i feel for the people in tourism buisness on Koh Samui. Times ahead does look a bit dark.

Unfortunately.

[lazygourmet]

Get your fact right guys, four planes to Utapao yesterday from samui, more today. My beef is why have they put the price up 30% when fuel has dropped by 70%.

But anyway news just in Bangkok Airways are talking about 5500b all in return from BKK-SAM...that will help tourism on the island for sure!!

Because it is "A" Boutique airline... flying to... "A" Boutique Island...

[highdiver]

They send you the SMS because they are 'boutique'..i would rather have Air Asia...by the way who also send SMS's...

Sure PAD should not go along this road but we are talking about Bangkok Airways and tourists getting 'Milked'.....i think it may be a wise move to get off this Island because all i see is dark clouds.... 400 people a day arriving 2 weeks ago from a low season average of 1200.....just when you think it can not get worse....this happens and i believe it will only get worse for the Island.

just got back from Bali...it was busy,cheap,stylish and the taxi drivers turn meters on.......samui has so much competition for a shrinking market.

I have never been to Bali myself, but i know for a fact that when the Bali bombs came on, at the time Bali was a very big tourist-destination for people from my origin, and most of them stopped going there. Some of them discovered Samui, others phuket and so on. You are right in the fact that the tourist nr are getting smaller. Less people to compete about. Due to economic situation in Eurpoe a big percent will not even afford their yearly holiday this year, and the more bad word gets out there koh Samui, and even Thailand all in all are loosing potential big oney spenders. It only take a few newspapers with bad publicity, to change the destination of this years holiday to Brazil or something elese. Maybe Bali as you say.

Sidepoint: My neighbour is the manager for one of the highclass hotels in Lamai. I had a quick chat with him yesterday and asked "how´s buisness?". He answered "worse than ever". And he said that this years upcoming "highseason" many hotels on this island will have to close down.

If you are in Europe, planning your 2 weeks/year with sunshine, your about to buy a ticket now. Then you read about the floodings on samui, you know already about the taxiscams, and to top it of this PAD thing comes on. If you are still having your eye on Koh Samui i bet the BA monopoly is just the thing that would get those plans completely grounded. This is not in anyway some kind of "words of visdom", i´m just speculating here, but i have to say i feel for the people in tourism buisness on Koh Samui. Times ahead does look a bit dark.

Unfortunately.

Well Matias I am back....

i was not off the forum just that in the past week there was not much discussion anb if there was it had to do with the weather..

[highdiver]

it amzes me how every few months this thread is bought up again and again.

here are some points for your consideration. at least fr those of you who have no idea about the facts.

1. BKA is a private business that has invested its own money in setting up an airport on samui . this is not a public domain or a goverment atourity it is a private business with one intention to make money.... and on the contrary to most airline companies around the globe who are going bankrupt or are going through foreclosure BKA is profiting..

.

2. BKA has built a new terminal and now has the abitlity to handle more passengers and has also now allowed access to other airlines to fly to Samui however this is limited to the airports ability to handle more planes and flights.

there is an option of allowing the airport to operate in the night time bu the samui locals have reused this as they want to sleep at night. specially those in the ghost road area.... BKA would be more then happy to fly around the clock if permitted to.

3. Koh Samui has an increas of more tourists coming in since the new terminal has opened and for those who wish to argue please see the TAT office for statistics as well as the Samui Tourist association. there are more tourist this year then the year before... that is a fact.

4. hotel occupancy has nothing to do with BKA prices .. it has to do with the ability of transporting people via ferry or planes into the island ... this capacity which is the maximum capacity per day is at its maximum already. and the only way to bring in more tourist is to allow more flights and to have more ferries.(measured at peak season)

however the Developers on the island sprung by fictitious tales and greediness are not stopping the development so Samui now has more hotels and more rentals then actual tourist arrivals... the growth rate of the development has super aceeded the growth of tourists... so more hotels and hotels rooms the less potential occupancy in each hotel.

just for the record there are now more then 5000 new hotel rooms in construction... and how do they plan to fill the up????

and why is this BKA fault.??? why are they to blame ???

5. BKA prices and we have shown this before are actually similar and even lower for the same distance flights in Europe and even in the states. an 50-60 minutes flight in a regular airline is about 150-200 USD.

yes there are those Cheap airlines that use low maintenance no service and pack you in like cattle for less.. BKA is not a cheap airline and it operates its own airport and the costs are then in the ticket..

BKA built an airport bought planes trained staff and built an amazing business that is runing and profitable. it is .. not a public service... as such if any of you wieners don't wish to use its services or then you are welcome to use the ferry or if that's to expansive for you you can always swim.

[mattias33]

5. BKA prices and we have shown this before are actually similar and even lower for the same distance flights in Europe and even in the states. an 50-60 minutes flight in a regular airline is about 150-200 USD.

yes there are those Cheap airlines that use low maintenance no service and pack you in like cattle for less.. BKA is not a cheap airline and it operates its own airport and the costs are then in the ticket..

I never for a second beleive that you wouldn´t come back with your "facts". .

However, your oppinion about more tourists than ever is not what anybody in the restaurant/hotel/bar busness would agree on. They are all saying the exact opposite. Let´s just wait and see what the highseason brings in, nobody is optimistic but we are all speculating. Even you. Allthough you like to present you speculations as facts, but we all know this already.

Comparing Bangkok airways prices with flights in the states or Europe is pointless. Have absolutely nothing to do with anything. A bag of potatoes cost me 300 baht more in Sweden than in Samui. Where the point in this argumentation? .

A year ago i booked a flight from Bangkok to Surathani and it cost me 700 baht. The cheapest option with BA at that time was 2700 baht. It´s the exact same distance. With your argumentation you can get anything to seem right.

No shit, they make money. That comes with having a monopoly. Imo that dosen´t make it right. You go ahead and admire them. I don´t.

[justinnsamui]

What's a "Boutique Airline" anyway? I thought a boutique was a shop where poofs go to buy blouses and handbags. Hahaha.

[highdiver]

5. BKA prices and we have shown this before are actually similar and even lower for the same distance flights in Europe and even in the states. an 50-60 minutes flight in a regular airline is about 150-200 USD.

yes there are those Cheap airlines that use low maintenance no service and pack you in like cattle for less.. BKA is not a cheap airline and it operates its own airport and the costs are then in the ticket..

I never for a second beleive that you wouldn´t come back with your "facts". .

Dearest mattias please donr be angry that i have proven you wrong. on may of your assumptions..

However, your oppinion about more tourists than ever is not what anybody in the restaurant/hotel/bar busness would agree on. They are all saying the exact opposite. Let´s just wait and see what the high season brings in, nobody is optimistic but we are all speculating. Even you. Allthough you like to present you speculations as facts, but we all know this already.

Once again i beg to differ. i am very involved in Samui tourist association as well as being invested in tourist related business.. it is a fact that there are more tourist this year then last year. if you care to dispute this please do provide facts.. not hear say from bar owners..

in the meeting held 2 months ago which was attended by most hoteliers on the island BKA marketing manager has presented the facts (you know numbers) and the facts are that BKA is bringing in more tourist then last year. As for speculations... i am sure there are some of the other members who regard my posts with a bit more credibility then yours.

Comparing Bangkok airways prices with flights in the states or Europe is pointless. Have absolutely nothing to do with anything. A bag of potatoes cost me 300 baht more in Sweden than in Samui. Where the point in this argumentation? .

once again I beg to differ (that's a nice way of saying you are wrong )you show no knowledge of the airline industry. and you can easily compare operation costs of one airline with another. and you can easily compare short range flight costs between airlines.

the fact remains that BKA as a regular airline route is for short range flights is cheaper then flying in the west.

A year ago i booked a flight from Bangkok to Surathani and it cost me 700 baht. The cheapest option with BA at that time was 2700 baht. It´s the exact same distance. With your argumentation you can get anything to seem right.

once again i beg to differ... Surathani is a government run airport subsidized by the government as such landing fees are not the real cost levied on the carrier. BKA is operating a private airport and as such you pay the cost of having that airport operational.

they built the aiport and they have the right to cover the costs and profit.

you can argue that budget airlines are flying at 700 baht... and i will argue that they are LOOSING!!! money. Thai airways is loosing money and so are all the other budget airlines ... BKA is making money that what a business is for.. to make money not to loose it.

No shit, they make money. That comes with having a monopoly. Imo that dosen´t make it right. You go ahead and admire them. I don´t.

they are not a monopoly... they have a private airport and they can use it and do what ever they feel like with it its private.... and since other airlines are flying in they are not a monopoly.

and yes, i do admire them for coming here more ten 15 years ago and believing in a vision and spending a lot of money and efforts, facing risks and problems and still they made it into a great profiting business. i respect every business man who has the balls to go out and do something..

i don't respect those who think they can run someones business with out even being in the game.. sort of like back sit drivers...

if you feel you can do it better then buy a land, apply for a permit and build your own airport and lets see how well you do

[limbos]

BKK air is definately not making it public that they increased flights, their website shows one flight.

I had my parents come down to Samui today in a rented mini van with driver, will pick them at Nathon later today, they arrived in BKK on a Thai Airways flight on the 26th. They left Europe knowing what was going on in BKK, but I think TG rather have their planes in BKK than somehwere else. Many other flights didn't leave Europe or turned around half way.

What that cost your parents? Just wondering.

About the same as taking a taxi from BKK to U-Tapao and the costs of 2 tickets one way from PTY/U-Tapao to Samui.

The flight lasts one hour, total travel time possibly around 5 hours from door to door, the mini van took them 14 hours from door to door.