Not sure if it is still there but Talat Mai Don Mueang sold articles brought into Thailand by Thai air flight staff. It seems the tradition of carrying items still exists.

UPDATE

Thai Anti-Drug Officers Raid Thai Crew Member’s Flat

20 hours ago, wil iam not said:

Treated as a 'Personal Issue', what does that entail?

That she is not acting as a courier (mule) for another person or organization?

That the heroin was for personal use.

10 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Obviously she was arrested for a crime in Australia so there's no chance of having Thai jail time.

Aircon and tv for her.

No worries; her Dad will be on the blower to Oz asking....''Do you know who i am ? '' ''How much do you want to forget about all this ? ''

Australian Federal Police, as well as state police, will be going through her life. Phone records, including phone tower locations, messages, emails, accommodation, restaurants, cafes, visitors, associates, Ubers, bank accounts, CCTV, the lot. They will be looking to trace every step from her last flight, and any communications or plans for this arrival.

They will be doing their best to find her contact in Australia.

3 hours ago, ravip said:

The other interesting thing is that to get a job as THAI crew members, they usually come from well-connected families.

1. Could you please clarify the source of the information on which your statement is based?

2. I personally know several crew members at THAI Airways who secured their positions solely on the basis of their qualifications and merit, without relying on any personal connections or influence. They continue to perform their duties with professionalism, integrity, and honesty.

Some people have an impressive talent for judging others through the lens of their own behavior.

It would be interesting to identify even a single airline or shipping company that has never experienced an issue of this nature.

I'm talking historically. The company has been trying to rebrand and shake off bad publicity so it might be changing. Anyway, here you go:

"Thai Airways is a particularly important focal point. It’s staff, drawn from Thailand’s middle-upper class society, are arguably the best-educated and qualified in a broad range of professions"

https://www.travel-impact-newswire.com/2012/06/in-parting-shot-ousted-thai-airways-chief-blows-whistle-on-festering-poor-governance/

Thai Airways’ Sky-High Debt and Nepotism Mean 5000 Innocent Staff Get Axed

https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/citynews/features/thai-airways-sky-high-debt-and-nepotism-mean-5000-innocent-staff-get-axed/

AI Overview:

"Historically, Thai Airways has been widely criticized for operating within a patronage and nepotism system, where political interference, cronyism, and the hiring of unqualified personnel were rampant. This culture of favoritism was deeply embedded during its time as a state enterprise, contributing significantly to bloated operational costs and massive financial crises"

20 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

MMM ticket prices up to pay her / his fine.

That was suppose to be a joke lou .

5 hours ago, Rams86 said:

11 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Obviously she was arrested for a crime in Australia so there's no chance of having Thai jail time.

She will probably say that it was flour and the Australian courts are corrupt if sentenced. It worked before

No, it did not work before, the person that you're referring to got six years.

3 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

It certainly used to be the case that many Thai flight attendants came from influential families.

Did it? Says who?

4 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Shall we ever learn the answers to the important questions - why did she do it, who in Thailand arranged the use of this "mule", who in Thailand is behind the transportation of this heroin? And of course, will the details of the Australian court case be published in the Thai media?

The other important question is how many times has it been done before without getting caught.

3 hours ago, SBNZ said:

There are forums where people post that they are willing to carry x number of kg on a flight to a certain destination as well as people asking if someone could carry items for them

If you have anything to justify that claim I'm sure you're going to post a link to one of those forums.

3 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

It certainly used to be the case that many Thai flight attendants came from influential families.

I find it very hard to believe that members of "influential Thai families" would want a job as a servile waitress although, doubtless, you could name at least one to back your claim.

Access to international flights and perceived subsequent benefits would not be a big issue for influential families.

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

I'm talking historically. The company has been trying to rebrand and shake off bad publicity so it might be changing. Anyway, here you go:

"Thai Airways is a particularly important focal point. It’s staff, drawn from Thailand’s middle-upper class society, are arguably the best-educated and qualified in a broad range of professions"

https://www.travel-impact-newswire.com/2012/06/in-parting-shot-ousted-thai-airways-chief-blows-whistle-on-festering-poor-governance/

Thai Airways’ Sky-High Debt and Nepotism Mean 5000 Innocent Staff Get Axed

https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/citynews/features/thai-airways-sky-high-debt-and-nepotism-mean-5000-innocent-staff-get-axed/

AI Overview:

"Historically, Thai Airways has been widely criticized for operating within a patronage and nepotism system, where political interference, cronyism, and the hiring of unqualified personnel were rampant. This culture of favoritism was deeply embedded during its time as a state enterprise, contributing significantly to bloated operational costs and massive financial crises"

...but not one mention of nepotism and/or influence being necessary to secure a job as an air hostess

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

I'm talking historically. The company has been trying to rebrand and shake off bad publicity so it might be changing. Anyway, here you go:

"Thai Airways is a particularly important focal point. It’s staff, drawn from Thailand’s middle-upper class society, are arguably the best-educated and qualified in a broad range of professions"

https://www.travel-impact-newswire.com/2012/06/in-parting-shot-ousted-thai-airways-chief-blows-whistle-on-festering-poor-governance/

Thai Airways’ Sky-High Debt and Nepotism Mean 5000 Innocent Staff Get Axed

https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/citynews/features/thai-airways-sky-high-debt-and-nepotism-mean-5000-innocent-staff-get-axed/

AI Overview:

"Historically, Thai Airways has been widely criticized for operating within a patronage and nepotism system, where political interference, cronyism, and the hiring of unqualified personnel were rampant. This culture of favoritism was deeply embedded during its time as a state enterprise, contributing significantly to bloated operational costs and massive financial crises"

Some people really need to read their own links before inaccurately claiming that they substantiate conditions or claims that they have made!

16 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

I find it very hard to believe that members of "influential Thai families" would want a job as a servile waitress although, doubtless, you could name at least one to back your claim.

Access to international flights and perceived subsequent benefits would not be a big issue for influential families.

It is common knowledge that these jobs are highly sought after by Thai, even amongst so called “influential” families. Of course, “influential” can mean different things to different people.

But you know better, right? It rhetorical, so don’t bother answering as your “servile” label already highlights your lack of knowledge about these positions.

9 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

I find it very hard to believe that members of "influential Thai families" would want a job as a servile waitress although, doubtless, you could name at least one to back your claim.

Access to international flights and perceived subsequent benefits would not be a big issue for influential families.

I think the air stewardess jobs were traditionally sought after by the daughters of "semi" influential wannabees the daughters of those with real influence can aspire to the premiership nowadays, so they would understandably hardly be interested in serving crap food to plebs in cramped conditions.

3 minutes ago, TimBKK said:

of "influential Thai families" would want a job as a servile waitress although, doubtless, you could name at least one to back your claim.

Access to international flights and perceived subsequent benefits would not be a big issue for influential families.

It is common knowledge that these jobs are highly sought after by Thai, even amongst so called “influential” families

"Common knowledge" being a synonym for hearsay and lack of empirical evidence.

5 minutes ago, TimBKK said:

It is common knowledge that these jobs are highly sought after by Thai, even amongst so called “influential” families. Of course, “influential” can mean different things to different people.

But you know better, right

I'm very happy to be proved wrong with whatever back up you've got in relation to influential family members wanting to be ait hostesses.

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"Common knowledge" being a synonym for hearsay and lack of empirical evidence.

Come on Lou..normally your posts are good and factual...but sorry this one is a bit silly. Please do better🤔

6 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

How many to a cell in Oz ?

Single or two at the most. A far reach of what she would get tn Thailand.

8 minutes ago, TimBKK said:

10 minutes ago, TimBKK said:

It is common knowledge that these jobs are highly sought after by Thai, even amongst so called “influential” families. Of course, “influential” can mean different things to different people.

But you know better, right? It rhetorical, so don’t bother answering as your “servile” label already highlights your lack of knowledge about these positions.

He's joking right? Well, no, I'd rather not name one. And 'servile' is pretty insulting - they receive rigorous safety training.

6 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

8 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"Common knowledge" being a synonym for hearsay and lack of empirical evidence.

Come on Lou..normally your posts are good and factual...but sorry this one is a bit silly. Please do better🤔

What specifically is "silly and non-factual about that comment?

24 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

I find it very hard to believe that members of "influential Thai families" would want a job as a servile waitress although, doubtless, you could name at least one to back your claim.

Access to international flights and perceived subsequent benefits would not be a big issue for influential families.

When I first arrived in Thailand in 1962 very few Thais spoke English. Those well educated young women that could were in high demand for what in those days was considered a highly prestigious occupation.

6 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

He's joking right? Well, no, I'd rather not name one. And 'servile' is pretty insulting - they receive rigorous safety training.

Rigorous safety training ? like making sure ones seat is upright during take off and landing ? Face it, when the plane is spiralling out of control before crashing into the ground, the "rigorous safety training" counts for nothing

2 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

When I first arrived in Thailand in 1962 very few Thais spoke English. Those well educated young women that could were in high demand for what in those days was considered a highly prestigious occupation.

I don't that that for one moment but this is 2026, not 1962, and, so far, no one has mentioned any influential family name being connected to air hostessing in the last 64 years.

3 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

Rigorous safety training ? like making sure ones seat is upright during take off and landing ? Face it, when the plane is spiralling out of control before crashing into the ground, the "rigorous safety training" counts for nothing

1. Language Skills: Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Fluency in a second or third language (especially ones that match the airline’s route network) is highly preferred and sometimes required.

2. Height & Reach: Most carriers require an arm reach of at least 208 cm to 210 cm on tiptoes to access emergency equipment in the overhead bins. Minimum height requirements generally range from 156 cm to 160 cm.

3. Physical & Medical: You must be able to pass a rigorous medical exam, swim unassisted, and lift/push heavy aircraft equipment (often up to 250 lbs or 113 kg).

4 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

When I first arrived in Thailand in 1962 very few Thais spoke English. Those well educated young women that could were in high demand for what in those days was considered a highly prestigious occupation.

That was then, but this is now, and most well educated young women aspire to better things than being a glorified waitress. I doubt it is seen as such a prestigious position nowadays

5 hours ago, ravip said:

The other interesting thing is that to get a job as THAI crew members, they usually come from well-connected families.

1. Could you please clarify the source of the information on which your statement is based?

2. I personally know several crew members at THAI Airways who secured their positions solely on the basis of their qualifications and merit, without relying on any personal connections or influence. They continue to perform their duties with professionalism, integrity, and honesty.

Some people have an impressive talent for judging others through the lens of their own behavior.

It would be interesting to identify even a single airline or shipping company that has never experienced an issue of this nature.

The fact is that Thailand flight attendants speak good English having had a good, often expensive, education.

4 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

That was then, but this is now, and most well educated young women aspire to better things than being a glorified waitress. I doubt it is seen as such a prestigious position nowadays

Which is why I wrote 'in those days'.