The Bangkok Airways Rant Thread

[Tracer Round]

First, to answer Nod's question:

If you have a Residents/Flyer bonus card but you're off Island as in overseas (and therefore can't go into the ticket office and get your 20% off) and your only option is to book online, and you find the only price available online is the standard price and therefore you get no saving, do you just forego any benefit of having a resident's card?

The card only gets you a discount if you present it in person, AND if you are the one flying, meaning if you are booking for your friend or relative, it cannot be used. Oh, and the discount only applies to full fares, not to existing discounts.

Well, for the first time ever I booked a flight to BKK (return) on AirAsia from Surat. They had one of their many promotions on and the total cost, including insurance and check-in (who has a carry-on that weighs only seven kilos or less?) the total was B1,800 (return). I had to book a flight for a visiting friend who will arrive next week and the cost on Bangkok Airways (BKK-Samui return) was B9,370.

The fact is that no amount of protesting or even switching to AirAsia will make any difference to the Bangkok Airways' boss. I am sure he is chuckling at any righteous indignation vented by the public.

My real question is this: Since there seems to be no limit to what Bangkok Airways can charge, where is the point that the cost of the Samui routing flights really because untenable?

There is no question that this is profiteering, evidenced by the fact that a flight from Bangkok to Taipei or Hong Kong takes about 3.5 hours (flight time) vs the 45 min to one hour from Bangkok to Samui, with the former being cheaper than the latter. There are also no costs (landing fees or hangar fees) incurred by Bangkok Airways on Samui since the owner of the airport in Samui does not tax his own fleet for using his own airport.

So why not charge B10,000 one way?

People would still come (there are already direct flight "Web Freedom" fares as high as B6,200 one way), but how far will the public be willing to be fleesed before revenues area actually affected at Bangkok Airways?

My guess is that Mr. Big at Bangkok Airways is notching up the fares slowly over time and watching the bottom line. "Hmmm, I raise the fares by B500 and the passenger numbers stay the same...interesting....Let's keep doing it every 4 months and if it continues to be viable, we will just stay on this path."

[smokie36]

My real question is this: Since there seems to be no limit to what Bangkok Airways can charge, where is the point that the cost of the Samui routing flights really because untenable?

When tourists can see the fare as an obvious rif off. For most western tourists that's when a walk up fare costs more than a similar flight at home. For me its about equal at the moment but any rise now would to me be tipping it beyond reason. Trouble is for the average tourist they will just knock Samui off the itinerary while I will simply fly to Surat instead.

The greed will eventually catch up with them though you're right there I can't see them failing to increase the fares again by Christmas.....

[nod]

First, to answer Nod's question:

If you have a Residents/Flyer bonus card but you're off Island as in overseas (and therefore can't go into the ticket office and get your 20% off) and your only option is to book online, and you find the only price available online is the standard price and therefore you get no saving, do you just forego any benefit of having a resident's card?

The card only gets you a discount if you present it in person, AND if you are the one flying, meaning if you are booking for your friend or relative, it cannot be used. Oh, and the discount only applies to full fares, not to existing discounts.

Well, for the first time ever I booked a flight to BKK (return) on AirAsia from Surat. They had one of their many promotions on and the total cost, including insurance and check-in (who has a carry-on that weighs only seven kilos or less?) the total was B1,800 (return). I had to book a flight for a visiting friend who will arrive next week and the cost on Bangkok Airways (BKK-Samui return) was B9,370.

The fact is that no amount of protesting or even switching to AirAsia will make any difference to the Bangkok Airways' boss. I am sure he is chuckling at any righteous indignation vented by the public.

My real question is this: Since there seems to be no limit to what Bangkok Airways can charge, where is the point that the cost of the Samui routing flights really because untenable?

There is no question that this is profiteering, evidenced by the fact that a flight from Bangkok to Taipei or Hong Kong takes about 3.5 hours (flight time) vs the 45 min to one hour from Bangkok to Samui, with the former being cheaper than the latter. There are also no costs (landing fees or hangar fees) incurred by Bangkok Airways on Samui since the owner of the airport in Samui does not tax his own fleet for using his own airport.

So why not charge B10,000 one way?

People would still come (there are already direct flight "Web Freedom" fares as high as B6,200 one way), but how far will the public be willing to be fleesed before revenues area actually affected at Bangkok Airways?

My guess is that Mr. Big at Bangkok Airways is notching up the fares slowly over time and watching the bottom line. "Hmmm, I raise the fares by B500 and the passenger numbers stay the same...interesting....Let's keep doing it every 4 months and if it continues to be viable, we will just stay on this path."

Hi Tracer,

Many thanks for responding to my question. Please feel free to PM me if you would find it useful to know how I got my resident's discount whilst abroad in the end.

Cheers.

[BigC]

First, to answer Nod's question:

If you have a Residents/Flyer bonus card but you're off Island as in overseas (and therefore can't go into the ticket office and get your 20% off) and your only option is to book online, and you find the only price available online is the standard price and therefore you get no saving, do you just forego any benefit of having a resident's card?

The card only gets you a discount if you present it in person, AND if you are the one flying, meaning if you are booking for your friend or relative, it cannot be used. Oh, and the discount only applies to full fares, not to existing discounts.

Well, for the first time ever I booked a flight to BKK (return) on AirAsia from Surat. They had one of their many promotions on and the total cost, including insurance and check-in (who has a carry-on that weighs only seven kilos or less?) the total was B1,800 (return). I had to book a flight for a visiting friend who will arrive next week and the cost on Bangkok Airways (BKK-Samui return) was B9,370.

The fact is that no amount of protesting or even switching to AirAsia will make any difference to the Bangkok Airways' boss. I am sure he is chuckling at any righteous indignation vented by the public.

My real question is this: Since there seems to be no limit to what Bangkok Airways can charge, where is the point that the cost of the Samui routing flights really because untenable?

There is no question that this is profiteering, evidenced by the fact that a flight from Bangkok to Taipei or Hong Kong takes about 3.5 hours (flight time) vs the 45 min to one hour from Bangkok to Samui, with the former being cheaper than the latter. There are also no costs (landing fees or hangar fees) incurred by Bangkok Airways on Samui since the owner of the airport in Samui does not tax his own fleet for using his own airport.

So why not charge B10,000 one way?

People would still come (there are already direct flight "Web Freedom" fares as high as B6,200 one way), but how far will the public be willing to be fleesed before revenues area actually affected at Bangkok Airways?

My guess is that Mr. Big at Bangkok Airways is notching up the fares slowly over time and watching the bottom line. "Hmmm, I raise the fares by B500 and the passenger numbers stay the same...interesting....Let's keep doing it every 4 months and if it continues to be viable, we will just stay on this path."

Hi Tracer,

Many thanks for responding to my question. Please feel free to PM me if you would find it useful to know how I got my resident's discount whilst abroad in the end.

Cheers.

i think samui could benifit in tax for the island bug time from a govement airport. i think banghkok airways would either close or just turn to a busnes class airport for the people who don't care about how much they charge.

there is allot of flat land in lipa noi

[Rooo]

Poor BKK Air going broke;

here

[BangrakBob]

This thread should be pinned

[smokie36]

This thread should be pinned

Good point but I'd rather see it closed and redundant.....

[jdee]

6.000 baht Bangkok to Samui stand by economy class yesterday.

80 Baht for a can of Singha.......served up to me on the prop......someone is taking the........

3700 Baht flight.......Boutique prices my......

Half decent?.....fair??......value for money???.........and and and!!!

Dick Turpin. Airlines.....pride of Samui.

[smokie36]

6.000 baht Bangkok to Samui stand by economy class yesterday.

80 Baht for a can of Singha.......served up to me on the prop......someone is taking the........

3700 Baht flight.......Boutique prices my......

Half decent?.....fair??......value for money???.........and and and!!!

Dick Turpin. Airlines.....pride of Samui.

I told you not to wear that gold jewellery...didn't I?????

[carmine]

Is that really correct...6000 baht one way ecomy BKK-Samui!!!!!

When they invested in the new airport terminals it should have been clear to all that they had obviously been guaranteed a free hand to charge what they want for as long as they want or they would'nt have invested the money in the first place.

That said, even i am astonished that they would charge that much. Totally outrageous. Its like they are constantly testing the water to see just how high they can up the prices. Turning into a nightmare for the island.

[Tracer Round]

What really needs to be done is to convince AirAsia to open a ground service from Samui to Surathani (and vice versa) such that using their flights can be seamless and hassle free. The customer would still pay for the ferry and bus, but it would make sense to have a system in place that is coordinated timewise with their flights and readily advertised and accessable. As it is, people (like me) wonder exactly how to get to the airport, how long it will take, how much it will cost and what other "made in Thailand" SNAFUs will crop up.

Since in SE Asia there are so many examples of "no higher authority to appeal to," the only way to address profiteering by Bangkok Snareways is to beat them at their own game.

[steelerian]

What really needs to be done is to convince AirAsia to open a ground service from Samui to Surathani (and vice versa) such that using their flights can be seamless and hassle free. The customer would still pay for the ferry and bus, but it would make sense to have a system in place that is coordinated timewise with their flights and readily advertised and accessable. As it is, people (like me) wonder exactly how to get to the airport, how long it will take, how much it will cost and what other "made in Thailand" SNAFUs will crop up.

Since in SE Asia there are so many examples of "no higher authority to appeal to," the only way to address profiteering by Bangkok Snareways is to beat them at their own game.

THIS +1mirrion

[smokie36]

What really needs to be done is to convince AirAsia to open a ground service from Samui to Surathani (and vice versa) such that using their flights can be seamless and hassle free. The customer would still pay for the ferry and bus, but it would make sense to have a system in place that is coordinated timewise with their flights and readily advertised and accessable. As it is, people (like me) wonder exactly how to get to the airport, how long it will take, how much it will cost and what other "made in Thailand" SNAFUs will crop up.

Since in SE Asia there are so many examples of "no higher authority to appeal to," the only way to address profiteering by Bangkok Snareways is to beat them at their own game.

THIS +1mirrion

Yeah nailed it.

[yogya]

'Mafia Air' made 633 Million Bath net profit last year. Now they are bidding to overtake some domestic airports.

I hope you'll understand why they need higher ticket prices.

And they expect a 41% higher profit in 2011!

Who get the tea money from Mafia Air? Maybe the whole gouvernment get paid. Just look at the face of the Mafia Boss and you'll understand.

TIT = THIS IS THAILAND

BKK post link removed.

Edited February 20, 2011 by Rooo
Bangkok Post Link removed.Against forum rules.

[smokie36]

<b><font face="Tahoma">'Mafia Air' made 633 Million Bath net profit last year. Now they are bidding to overtake some domestic airports. Now we understand why they need higher ticket prices. </font></b><img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/jap.gif"><br><font face="Tahoma"><b>Who get the tea money from Mafia Air? I guess the whole gouvernment get paid. Just look at the face of the Mafia Boss and you'll understand.</b></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><b><br></b></font><font face="Tahoma"><b>And they expect a 41% higher profit in 2011!</b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font face="Tahoma"><b></b></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><b>TIT = THIS IS THAILAND<br></b></font>

<div><font face="Tahoma"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font face="Tahoma"><b><a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/aviation/222034/bangkok-airways-set-to-gain-altitude">Bangkok Post</a><br></b></font></div></div>

After you edited it?

Anyway you're right....checking out every alternative now but the BKK to Samui route is unavoidable for me.....in fact if the airport was closed is the only way I'd avoid this flight.....or a "Bars are closed!!" arrival date.

But even then I know the places flaunting the ban.

[Ahinkel1]

<b><font face="Tahoma">'Mafia Air' made 633 Million Bath net profit last year. Now they are bidding to overtake some domestic airports. Now we understand why they need higher ticket prices. </font></b><img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/jap.gif"><br><font face="Tahoma"><b>Who get the tea money from Mafia Air? I guess the whole gouvernment get paid. Just look at the face of the Mafia Boss and you'll understand.</b></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><b><br></b></font><font face="Tahoma"><b>And they expect a 41% higher profit in 2011!</b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font face="Tahoma"><b></b></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><b>TIT = THIS IS THAILAND<br></b></font>

<div><font face="Tahoma"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font face="Tahoma"><b><a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/aviation/222034/bangkok-airways-set-to-gain-altitude">Bangkok Post</a><br></b></font></div></div>

The russians are coming

[Boater]

there appears to be a promotion, Bkk - Samui 1975 THB One Way, from the 3rd May to 31st July

[samui34samui]

there appears to be a promotion, Bkk - Samui 1975 THB One Way, from the 3rd May to 31st July

I think you can only book at these prices during/at the Thai International Travel Fair...

Well i hope not

Edited February 23, 2011 by samui34samui

[Rooo]

Made the front page of The Samui Gazette.

[Boater]

Made the front page of The Samui Gazette.

made the front page of both papers.......

[crusty]

Made the front page of The Samui Gazette.

made the front page of both papers.......

Well add this to the Gazette. Common island news has it that the Bangkok Airways hotel, Samui Palm Beach, with the help of friends in high places, has managed to be registered as a Club or as an Association, thus avoiding paying tax. This is an outrage when you find much worthy causes as the children's sports clubs, Tae Kwan Do schools and the Samui Junior Sailing Club are deemed as unqualified for this advantage ! Grrrrrr...!

[Boater]

Made the front page of The Samui Gazette.

made the front page of both papers.......

Well add this to the Gazette. Common island news has it that the Bangkok Airways hotel, Samui Palm Beach, with the help of friends in high places, has managed to be registered as a Club or as an Association, thus avoiding paying tax. This is an outrage when you find much worthy causes as the children's sports clubs, Tae Kwan Do schools and the Samui Junior Sailing Club are deemed as unqualified for this advantage ! Grrrrrr...!

so the hotel doesnt pay tax?? ....

[spidermike007]

I am pretty sure that when Bangkok Airways originally invested a massive amount of money to build a commercial airport on Samui a lot of people were very happy, you could even attribute a large part of Samui's growth (wanted or wanted) to Bangkok Airways. They took the chance and it eventually paid for them, now they may seem overpriced, thats called business or reaping the rewards of the initial investment.

this line of thinking has been quoted so often i wish i had a baht for everytime i heard it, the problem is that bkk airs deserving or not profits are negativly affecting the residents of the island. when a public or private company begins being a burden on the well being of the general population then it is time to change a few rules and give that company a reality check. I have long been saying that a price of 1,000 to 1,500 baht to bkk is a reasonable price. thoink about the residence with children, samu has no real parks or culture centres for the kids, if the bkk prices were jjst a tad lower quick flight to bkk would become more frequent and affordable, why does phuket have the leg up on samui? not the beaches, nor hotels but affordable air tickets make all the difference.

Yes, and law enforcement. They have only "toy police" on Samui. No law enforcement whatsoever. They are revenue collection agents, posing as law enforcement agents. The mayor is very weak, and ineffectual, the road improvement project has been stalled for two years, even though the central government has already allocated the funds, there is no real mall like Phuket has, Shall I go on? I love Samui, but it has alot of issues that NOBODY is addressing.

[spidermike007]

Is that really correct...6000 baht one way ecomy BKK-Samui!!!!!

When they invested in the new airport terminals it should have been clear to all that they had obviously been guaranteed a free hand to charge what they want for as long as they want or they would'nt have invested the money in the first place.

That said, even i am astonished that they would charge that much. Totally outrageous. Its like they are constantly testing the water to see just how high they can up the prices. Turning into a nightmare for the island.

Yes, they are attempting to become an airline only for millionaires. Nobody seems to care, and nobody seems to have the courage to do anything. Makes you wonder who really controls this airline. There are alot of rumors floating around, but it seems someone too high to touch.

[BigC]

First, to answer Nod's question:

If you have a Residents/Flyer bonus card but you're off Island as in overseas (and therefore can't go into the ticket office and get your 20% off) and your only option is to book online, and you find the only price available online is the standard price and therefore you get no saving, do you just forego any benefit of having a resident's card?

The card only gets you a discount if you present it in person, AND if you are the one flying, meaning if you are booking for your friend or relative, it cannot be used. Oh, and the discount only applies to full fares, not to existing discounts.

Well, for the first time ever I booked a flight to BKK (return) on AirAsia from Surat. They had one of their many promotions on and the total cost, including insurance and check-in (who has a carry-on that weighs only seven kilos or less?) the total was B1,800 (return). I had to book a flight for a visiting friend who will arrive next week and the cost on Bangkok Airways (BKK-Samui return) was B9,370.

The fact is that no amount of protesting or even switching to AirAsia will make any difference to the Bangkok Airways' boss. I am sure he is chuckling at any righteous indignation vented by the public.

My real question is this: Since there seems to be no limit to what Bangkok Airways can charge, where is the point that the cost of the Samui routing flights really because untenable?

There is no question that this is profiteering, evidenced by the fact that a flight from Bangkok to Taipei or Hong Kong takes about 3.5 hours (flight time) vs the 45 min to one hour from Bangkok to Samui, with the former being cheaper than the latter. There are also no costs (landing fees or hangar fees) incurred by Bangkok Airways on Samui since the owner of the airport in Samui does not tax his own fleet for using his own airport.

So why not charge B10,000 one way?

People would still come (there are already direct flight "Web Freedom" fares as high as B6,200 one way), but how far will the public be willing to be fleesed before revenues area actually affected at Bangkok Airways?

My guess is that Mr. Big at Bangkok Airways is notching up the fares slowly over time and watching the bottom line. "Hmmm, I raise the fares by B500 and the passenger numbers stay the same...interesting....Let's keep doing it every 4 months and if it continues to be viable, we will just stay on this path."

out of all the airports that the yellows closed down. Why could they not block bangkok airways.

To protest u need people to block the departures. lorries, cars, people. that would make the boss want to do something. passenger might be pissed off but it is for the greater. something or other. maybe if a date was arranged. then some people would have time to buy a ticket from surat. I bet Air asia would be happy and taxis and busses and ferries to donsak then donsak to surat and surround hotels.

maybe at the protest site taxi driver could take people to surat airport put some more smiles on people faces.

maybe the passengers might be pissed off but if it worked and we forced prices down. then they would more than likey come back.

Unless protesters let people only with prepaid tickets through up to a certain date. then after 1 week full boycotte Thai style.

I mean everything else has faild so it is the last option.

Unless this second airport even starts to be built then we might have to exept that words mean nothing and action is everything

Edited March 15, 2011 by BigC

[smokie36]

Now we know who you are BigC......Arfur Scargill!

Or Thaksin Wotsisname.

Edited March 15, 2011 by smokie36

[badwig]

This company sucks and if I had my way everyone would blacklist it, unfortunately tourists dont realise they have just been ripped off,

the first and probably the last time they use Dick Turpin airways

[smokie36]

This company sucks and if I had my way everyone would blacklist it, unfortunately tourists dont realise they have just been ripped off,

the first and probably the last time they use Dick Turpin airways

Nope not first or last. We most of us use it.....if we're honest.....

'cos its convenient despite the rip off prices....innit??

[robsamui]

I have it on impeccable authority that earlier this week there was a meeting between the THA (Thai Hotels Association, SE Chapter Samui) and the (if I have it correctly) Vice President (?) of BA - here on Samui. One of the big-wigs anyway.

After one hour of being bombarded by protests and discontent the meeting ended with the rep waving his arms in the air and saying " I know I know but what can I do? I'm just an employee like most of you here!"

I believe that the owners of BA are completely aware of the situation and - guess what - they don't give a flying &lt;deleted&gt;.

Rob

[Birdman]

capitalism - the name of the game