Thai Airways Faces Backlash Over Business-Class Seat Fiasco

[webfact]

 

Thai Airways is being criticized after a passenger claims he and his clients received poor service, despite having expensive business-class tickets for a flight to Beijing. The passenger, Treerat Sirichantaropas, has publicly expressed his disillusionment and is considering legal action after experiencing issues with seats that could not recline or convert into beds.

 

The airline's attempt to appease Mr. Sirichantaropas, with a compensation of 5,500 baht, was rebuffed. Mr. Sirichantaropas instead plans to sue the airline’s management, appealing for their resignation over failure to resolve repeated complaints. He also plans to file a complaint with the Transport Commission to prevent such defects occurring on Thai Airways flights.

 

His viral post has ignited a conversation about the airline’s management, accountability, service commitment, and the strain these issues place on the airline’s employees. Mr. Sirichantaropas, a regular customer, claimed that the airline’s disregard of customer service and neglect were affecting passengers’ comfort and employees' morale.

 

This incident has negatively impacted Thai Airways’ reputation, creating doubts about their service quality. The unfolding events invite increased scrutiny from the public and regulatory bodies. The outcome of this case may influence how customer complaints and operational failures are handled in the aviation industry, particularly with national carriers, whose standards are seen to represent those of the country. 

 

TOP File photo for reference only.

 

 

-- 2024-04-30

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[richard_smith237]

Indeed….  Pay that amount of money for a business class seat and it doesn’t recline he has every right to be upset - a full refund or equivalent miles should be the very least of the airlines response.
 

On numerous TG flights have had screens not working - no biggie as I carry and pad - low expectations!!! 

[gargamon]

Only has himself to blame. Why fly Thai Airways when there's many better airlines to use, EVA for example.

[stoner]

30 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

a full refund or equivalent miles should be the very least of the airlines response.

 

you'll take the 5500 and be happy with it or we will sue you. 

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thai Airways is being criticized after a passenger claims he and his clients received poor service, despite having expensive business-class tickets for a flight to Beijing.

 

This is just a warning for passengers what to expect in Bejing when they get off the flight.

[ezzra]

Thai have grown so big now, too big to remember how to provide the basics services, while every few days you read

how Thai are selling and buying new fleets of  planes in the billions...

 

Just recently had to jump through many hoops trying to re book my business class return from Melbourne to Bkk

endlessly waiting on the phone to speak to customer's service, unfortunately Thai is the only regular direct flight

from Melbourne to Bkk, (other than Jetstar) and not a fan of a stop-overs...

 

 

 

[daveAustin]

Don’t blame him, I would be pissed too forking out for biz and not being able to relax. Even cattle seats recline! By not immediately assuaging this guy with a full refund, it could cost them a lot more. 

[jonclark]

B5500 compensation. Cheap bastards. 

[bangkok19]

12 hours ago, ezzra said:

Thai have grown so big now, too big to remember how to provide the basics services, while every few days you read

how Thai are selling and buying new fleets of  planes in the billions...

 

Just recently had to jump through many hoops trying to re book my business class return from Melbourne to Bkk

endlessly waiting on the phone to speak to customer's service, unfortunately Thai is the only regular direct flight

from Melbourne to Bkk, (other than Jetstar) and not a fan of a stop-overs...

 

 

Lucky you!

You were actually able to speak to a real person. I was in Sydney a few months ago and decided to visit to TG ticket office in Market St. The office was closed with no people in sight. There were Thai pictures and ornamentals around the office.. and the lights were on (but nobody home).

I asked someone in a neighbouring office about TG,

they said they hadn't seen anyone in there for months.

As for Sydney to Bangkok flights . All we have is TG and QF.  I.M.O. Qantas are worse than THAI.  Luckily I've never had a negative experience flying with TG Business.

I wish Emirates would resume the Syd-Bkk route again that they terminated back in 2019.

[1duckyboy]

He plans on suing the airline. The airline may reciprocate. 

[DjSilver]

Thai Airways have always been a 3 star airline taking 5 star airline prices. If Thai Airways even cut their prices in half, the quality and service one is getting would still not be worth it.

[Robert Paulson]

Never get in between a thai and his nap

[ezzra]

6 minutes ago, bangkok19 said:

 

I had to call Thai office in Bkk to get re-booked as Australia's Thai office are unreachable...

[Aviatorhi]

Fly TG and you're entirely susceptible to a product which is only "updated" at time of manufacture, and never again. A350/787? Great. 747? Ooof.

 

That's before you get to the deferred MX. 

[smedly]

cram as many BS seats into limited space and this is the result, an expensive mistake - will anyone be fired ?

[ukrules]

They will probably sue him for defamation.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

His viral post has ignited a conversation about the airline’s management, accountability, service commitment, and the strain these issues place on the airline’s employees. Mr. Sirichantaropas, a regular customer, claimed that the airline’s disregard of customer service and neglect were affecting passengers’ comfort and employees' morale.

For once someone who is not going to be bought off, but wants the service they paid for.

[sammieuk1]

My experience of Thai Airways customer service is, the customer is never right end of story with your email is barred also 🤔

[CANSIAM]

I would imagine the next course of action is the passenger will be sued....... BC on Thai Airways, not a chance...... 

[findlay13]

2 hours ago, stoner said:

 

you'll take the 5500 and be happy with it or we will sue you. 

It took me 3plus years to get a refund from them from a fare paid before covid !

[stoner]

3 minutes ago, findlay13 said:

It took me 3plus years to get a refund from them from a fare paid before covid !

 

adjusted with inflation you got 9 cents back. 

[2long]

There has to be more to this. I smell some exaggeration. 

Was it one faulty seat, or more seats that never recline? Surely the plane cant have been designed to have non-reclining business class seats and if it was, then we would have heard of it before (from others complaining).

I get the feeling there's another side to this story, and maybe the customers expected more than he deserved.

[Dukeleto]

Have not flown on a Thai Airways flight in over 10 years! The last flight the stewardess burnt the back of my arm with the scolding hot metal tea urn while jabbering with person behind me. She was completely unapologetic until I got pissed off. But she was still not happy. Never ever ever again!!! As someone else pointed out...far far better Airlines to choose from.

[DUNROAMIN]

You only have to end a few minutes on the internet to find out Thai Airways has declined in service and affordability over the last few years. Once a great Airline now cr*p.

[VBF]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Indeed….  Pay that amount of money for a business class seat and it doesn’t recline he has every right to be upset - a full refund or equivalent miles should be the very least of the airlines response.
 

On numerous TG flights have had screens not working - no biggie as I carry and pad - low expectations!!! 

Flying with those idiots you must have!

One question...... Why?  There are so many other airlines to choose from and yet, knowing what you're going to get you still choose Thai.

Bit like banging your head on a brick wall isn't it?

[Mark17AA]

Recent flight from Bali to BKK I noticed a number of passengers in BC having seat and screen issues, mind you this plane looked like the original prototype type so old... Just not worth the money, but little choice on that route if you want comfort.

[norbra]

I gave them a miss when they introduced 777 with entertainment box under seats no room for feet.

When travelling as a family too hard to dodge these crap seats.

[SportRider]

28 minutes ago, 2long said:

There has to be more to this. I smell some exaggeration. 

Was it one faulty seat, or more seats that never recline? Surely the plane cant have been designed to have non-reclining business class seats and if it was, then we would have heard of it before (from others complaining).

I get the feeling there's another side to this story, and maybe the customers expected more than he deserved.

Likely an individual seat or one row not reclining, next to emergency exit. 

 

Last month I tried the FlyDubai service from UTP to Dubai. Paid extra for more legroom.

 

Only to discover the seats don't recline because it's an emergency exit row!  For a 7 hr flight 🤬

 

Luckily the flight wasn't full and I moved. 

Didn't bother to claim back the fee for my 'special' seat booked. 

 

[Peterphuket]

1 hour ago, DjSilver said:

Thai Airways have always been a 3 star airline taking 5 star airline prices. If Thai Airways even cut their prices in half, the quality and service one is getting would still not be worth it.

Not always, 15-20 years back they where much better.

[Peterphuket]

58 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

adjusted with inflation you got 9 cents back. 

You are very lucky, until now I never get any satang back after they refuse me back from Hong Kong to BKK.

Also I'm 3 years waiting, rubbish!