Thai Airways accused of favouring foreign passengers over Thais

[webfact]

 

A Thai passenger who recently flew from Paris to Bangkok in Thai Airways business class accused the airline of favouring foreign passengers over Thais after a flight attendant provided services exclusively to a foreign passenger. The attendant told the Thai man that the foreigner was a Gold Status member.

 

Thai consultant doctor Watcharaphol Alexandre Kamnerdsiri, who works in Brussels, Belgium, shared his disappointing experience with Thai Airways on Facebook on Thursday, March 23. He started his post by saying…

“I have something to tell you all. I debated with myself whether I should say it or not. I think I should, and let’s think that this is constructive criticism.”

In the post, Watcharaphol revealed that he flew with Thai Airways from Paris to Bangkok in business class, also known as Royal Silk Class, and arrived safely at Suvarnabhumi Airport on March 23. He said he appreciated that the flight arrived 30 minutes before the scheduled landing. However, he was not impressed with the service from the flight attendant team.

 

Full story: https://bangkokone.news/thai-airways-accused-of-favouring-foreign-passengers-over-thais/

 

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[ezzra]

So now that the shoe in other foot as they say, it could have been one off situation, however, Thai silk service, in the opinions of many, is not as silky as it used to be and he's not the first one to notice.

Edited March 28, 2023 by ezzra

[mr_lob]

Ah bless x

[thai006]

white privilege in Thailand ??  maybe on thaï Airways only so 

[Enoon]

 

"The senior flight attendant then came to Watcharaphol’s seat to pacify the situation and apologise, offering him the required service."

 

But still he needed to whine on FB.

 

Sounds like they "didn't know who he was".

 

Petulant, entitled little ****.

 

 

 

Edited March 28, 2023 by Enoon

[2baht]

One woman who claimed to be a former attendant added that the flight attendant always took the best care of Thai passengers. She added that some Thai passengers were very demanding compared to others.

 

Well.....................................!

[hotchilli]

Quote from the link:

According to Watcharaphol, the attendant said that the foreign passenger behind him was a Gold Status passenger. He was confused and showed his boarding pass to her, explaining that he was also holding gold status. Watcharaphol then said…

“What does that foreign passenger have that I don’t? I have both a French and a Belgian passport. I can speak three foreign languages, English, Greek, and Russian. I got overlooked because I am speaking Thai, right? 

 

No so much "what does he have" as much as what do you have.

A huge chip on your shoulder.

 

 

[wwest5829]

While I can understand, nonetheless, that fellow passenger held a more frequent flyer customer status and on that basis got the perks accorded to the earned status. When I was flying more regularly before retirement, I also had earned small perks along the way. Ha! Today I am at Disney World in Florida. Those who pay an additional $29.99 per person a day get to go in the fast lane for the rides … grrr, but I have to suck it up. Afterall, as an American, I should be used to money according a different status … in Justice, in education, in healthcare … need I go on?!

[ikke1959]

Childish jealous behavior.... typical..... we are better than the rest

[mikebell]

I thought Thai Airways was run to provide freebies exclusively to all influential Thais and their retinue?

[2baht]

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

I thought Thai Airways was run to provide freebies exclusively to all influential Thais and their retinue?

Some are obviously more influential than others!

[Freddy42OZ]

41 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Quote from the link:

According to Watcharaphol, the attendant said that the foreign passenger behind him was a Gold Status passenger. He was confused and showed his boarding pass to her, explaining that he was also holding gold status. Watcharaphol then said…

“What does that foreign passenger have that I don’t? I have both a French and a Belgian passport. I can speak three foreign languages, English, Greek, and Russian. I got overlooked because I am speaking Thai, right? 

 

No so much "what does he have" as much as what do you have.

A huge chip on your shoulder.

 

 

The problem is that they both hold Gold Status and the attendant went to serve the foreign (I wonder what nationality) passenger first. Maybe she saw his request first? 

The Thai guy is obviously well educated, has money and status and therefore should be given the same level of service as others flying in the class he was in.  

The airline owes him an apology and a better explanation. 
 

[Robbiec666]

Everyone is entitled to the service they pay for regardless of gender and race. Let's hope this brings attention to the way Foreign guests are treated by Thailand. Take national thieves (National Parks) for example, that price gouge tourists to such an extent that we can not afford to enjoy the stolen natural spots they occupy. I pay Thai tax incase anyone is attempting to call me entitled and if you don't like it leave comments are ridiculous as the said attitudes. My point is all people should be treated equally tax payers or business class passangers. Have a lovely day all. Love Thailand Hate Dual Pricing for foreigners living here. 

[RandiRona]

Size does matter ????

[handymax]

Hey Doc, now you know how we foreigners feel every day we're in Thailand, try going to a national park and paying 10x the entry fee, just because we're not Thai, or the local market and paying double for a simple bag of food. Doesn't taste good, does it?

[RichardColeman]

I travel cattle class. If some fool pays twice the price - or more - for the same flight, same distance and same time out of their lives , then good luck to them getting a bit more. Most people to Europe will try and sleep most of the flight, not exactly to get extra when catching zzz's

[Lemsta69]

50 minutes ago, Robbiec666 said:

all people should be treated equally tax payers or business class passangers.

not going to happen. you're just p1ssing in the wind mate

[RefinedGentleman]

Amusing that a person would create an incident over the mere possibility that someone on their flight MIGHT be receiving better service than they are. ???? My God, talk about a fragile ego. Imagine the experiences this guy has in restaurants...does he take notes on how the other tables are treated relative to this own? Must be hard to go through life like this.

[IAMHERE]

The good doctor is obviously a smart cookie. Thailand needs more like him. Except, I'd think that Thailand needs them in Thailand and not so much Belgium. 

Edited March 29, 2023 by IAMHERE
spelling

[Damrongsak]

25 minutes ago, handymax said:

Hey Doc, now you know how we foreigners feel every day we're in Thailand, try going to a national park and paying 10x the entry fee, just because we're not Thai, or the local market and paying double for a simple bag of food. Doesn't taste good, does it?

Last fall I went to Phu Reua park in Loei.  No charge for people over 60. A Thai friend of my wife paid maybe 20 Baht.  I scooted under the radar as I'm old and no one wants to mess with all the old Thai women I hang with.  Ignorance is bliss.

 

 

[jacko45k]

25 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

I travel cattle class. If some fool pays twice the price - or more - for the same flight, same distance and same time out of their lives , then good luck to them getting a bit more. Most people to Europe will try and sleep most of the flight, not exactly to get extra when catching zzz's

I kinda feel similar  when I see those poor schmucks being crammed in and herded about like sheep and poorly treated. Short hops no question but for the 11 hours to UK... would like some extra comfort. Pity BA don't agree. 

[Damrongsak]

25 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

I travel cattle class. If some fool pays twice the price - or more - for the same flight, same distance and same time out of their lives , then good luck to them getting a bit more. ...

I used to travel a lot for business.  I used to say I traveled "strapped to the wing" class. Cheap ...

 

[Shuya]

"He added that he would review Thai Airways’ service again when he flies back to Paris this week."
Looking for a free upgrade to First, are we? 

[soi3eddie]

1 hour ago, 2baht said:

Some are obviously more influential than others!

It seems, perhaps, that the "influential" ones are no longer getting the free rides on Thai Airways that they once enjoyed pre-covid (pre-banckruptcy restructuring).

 

[NanLaew]

From the main article, quoting a former Thai airways flight attandant, "She added that some Thai passengers were very demanding compared to others."

 

I've seen some deplorable behavior and attitudes from Thai passengers traveling at the 'front of the bus.' They treat the flight attendant's the same way these hi-so characters on Thai lagorns treat their underlings. Demeaning and disgraceful, same as this self-entitled doctor.

 

If you're really special, you don't need to post pictures of yourself in the 'special' part of the airplane. Look at me being hi-so!

[Dan O]

Sounds like Mr entitlement wasn't happen to wait his turn. I guess he feels being a doctor and educated means he goes to the front of the class. I doubt the validity of his claims based on the comments he posted. They smack.of the typical thai response we hear so often "don't you know who I am"

[cncltd1973]

sounds thin-skinned for a Thai doctor that caters to Europeans, borderline hypocritical. what would the thai say about an exemplary doctor that prefers to treat foreigners?

[jacko45k]

32 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

If you're really special, you don't need to post pictures of yourself in the 'special' part of the airplane. Look at me being hi-so!

I just post a pic of the glass of champagne and the canapes on my FB page.... with the Emirates screen showing flight details in the background.....to include my ugly mug would be far too tacky. Later on I go peer through the curtain and look down my nose at the horrors back there!

[Hanuman2547]

It's been my experience that Thai Airways tends to give better service to non-Thais over the years when I flew Thai.  I saw a lot of that back in the 80's and 90's.  Also heard a number of Thais complain about this as well.  Didn't matter if it was business or economy class.    

Now I tend to stay away from Thai Airways as their fares are always more expensive than their competitors and the routing is never that convenient.  

[kcpattaya]

Dr. is clearly fishing for a freebie and probably get away with it as well...