Thai Airways Upgrade Aircraft Cabins To Attract More Passengers

[iks77]

On our last flight with TG we shared the seat row with a lot of roaches that crawled out of the carpet. Really lovely. These planes are just way too old and shabby.

[tombkk]

On our last flight with TG we shared the seat row with a lot of roaches that crawled out of the carpet. Really lovely. These planes are just way too old and shabby.

I've never heard this before but have no reason to think that you just want to spread rumours. Please advise flight number and date, so it can be determined which aircraft exactly this was. This needs to be brought to the attention of TG, of course. Did you complain to them?

Edited August 4, 2011 by tombkk

[tombkk]

Did I not read somewhere that Thai were getting newer planes for the long haul flights to Europe, now they say they are upgrading their current fleet.

They are doing both. The article only talks about the seat upgrades, which is one of the pet peaves of Khun Piyasvasti: He is fully aware that the seats and inflight entertainment system are a reason why people prefer to fly other airlines (and that includes me, ROP Gold, and a member since 1995). He has been in the job for not too long and plans to pull this through. There is a schedule which aircraft type will be upgraded in which month.

The plans to buy new aircraft are also still scheduled. He outlined all this during a business luncheon last month (or was it in June?).

It is good that THAI is now headed by Khun Piyasvasti, as he understands customer needs.

I respectfully beg to differ. Seat upgrades and in flight entertainment are only a factor for those who actually get on the plane. For myself, and I am sure many others, Thai loses out every time when I compare the prices. Thai have to come to grips with the fact that it is, 9 times out of 10, cheaper for me to fly down to Singapore and then up to London on SIA, than it is for me to go directly from Bangkok to London!

The fact that SIA has better planes and better service makes it even more of a no brainer.

You may differ, I have no problem with that. Khun Piyasvasti knows about this too. It is too bad that his speach is not online. Anyway, for myself the IFE is very important but: SQ has an excellent one too. Then it comes down to service, price and transit times.

[tombkk]

I too can vouch that Thai Airways craft now are crap. I have flow with numerous airlines in the last couple of years to every corner of Asia. Garuda have better seats and services that Thai now. The seats are old and dirty. The food is so so, and the general comfort level sucks. They have gone from Royal Silk to Royal Squallor...

I honestly feel they need a quality experience outside (Westerner) to lead the organization. Thai is so full of cronyism they can not see the damage they are doing from within. It goes from top to bottom. Thai people are fooled into believe Thai Air is the quality airline it once was, but with the aging fleet, aging seats and aging air hostesses, the entire organization is due for fresh blood.

Either you haven't read my post #18, or you know things on the inside of TG that we are not privy to. Kindly enlighten us why you think the (relatively) new management is not good, as he is addressing all the issues that you are mentioning.

Edit: Initially forgot the word "not" in the last sentence.

Edited August 4, 2011 by tombkk

[ginjag]

Why reduce prices in order to attract more flyers when you can order new planes and rip off millions in corruption?

Next.

Did you see the thread a couple of months ago re aircraft on order, giving details of how many?????

soon after Thai stated that the aircraft that had been ordered (over a period up to 2017) the early deliveries that were due later this year and next were backworded BECAUSE of a shortage of cash.

UNBELIEVABLE====== How much is it costing to re furbish ??????

[tombkk]

When they run their special offers TG can be one of the Cheaper airlines but they are a rip off the rest of the time Qatar Airways are ok and quite reasonably priced most of the time their in-flight entertainment is quite good but Doha Airport is a complete clusterf*@k at the moment although they are building a new one.

I would never fly a Middle Eastern airline to Europe for the simple reason that they interrupt my sleep half-way and I have to walk around an airport for a few hours. I will lose the whole arrival day, firstly because I arrive sometime around mid-day rather than in the morning, and I will be sleep-deprived and run around like a zombie (can't visit customers). A direct flight leaves BKK around midnight, gives me a full night of sleep, and I arive in the early morning (or mid-morning if I have to change planes to a smaller airport) and am fit to see customers before even checking into a hotel.

But of course, it depends on whether you fly for pleasure or for business.

[iks77]

On our last flight with TG we shared the seat row with a lot of roaches that crawled out of the carpet. Really lovely. These planes are just way too old and shabby.

I've never heard this before but have no reason to think that you just want to spread rumours. Please advise flight number and date, so it can be determined which aircraft exactly this was. This needs to be brought to the attention of TG, of course. Did you complain to them?

No, unfortunately i dont want to spread rumors. The planes on this route (FRA-BKK) are really very old. If i remember it right it was TG920, the late departure from BKK.

In addition we had a very long delay but that was due to snow in FRA and not the fault of TG. They had been dealing with 6 hours on Stuttgart airport very professional and did all they could regarding service.

[Danbit]

Never mind in flight entertainment. Every time I call the London office to book flights, I get treated in a condescending, patronizing manner. They act as if you should be grateful that they allow you to fly with THAI. I don't can see how they think that this will increase customer loyalty. Their prices are horrendous compared to competitors, and if you get a reasonable fare, they give you zero points on your Royal Orchid Plus card. So it's really pointless. I have swopped to the Middle Eastern Airlines, and although you have a stop over in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, at least you get friendly service on the ground and in the air.

It's sad to see how few people in one office can create so much customer dissatisfaction which ultimately harms the entire company.

Low price no points, just like other airlines. Am Gold Customer at Thai and use them from Copenhagen, maily on Premium Economy, value for money, EVA might have better/new flights but not a direct connection from Scandinavia and the price at the same level. I allways receive first class service. Did try Emirates but their frequent flyer program is terrible, difficult to earn miles and difficult to use them and even their A380 do not offer any comfort at economi with a pitch of onlt 32". Out of Bangkok is Thai fine too and I allways get fine service over rhe phone. I did try Gulf Air DXB to BKK got a lot of read wine but over my cloths and not much help from the flight staff. I see the Thai frequent flyer program as the best. One of my friends just needed some miles to keep his gold card, Thai gave it to him and they have a good customer in the future. SAS have a similar connection CPH-BKK but their Economy Exstra is not as good as Thai Premium Economy. All Airlines have staff younger than me, I am 71 years young. Thai have now restriction of the size of the staff, it is fine now you can pass them. 5 stars to Thai.:jap:

[ginooooo]

Every year my wife and I fly Thai from the states to Chiangrai and always order tickets 6 months early. Just about every year, the price of a ticket is about $1900 to $2000. So surprised now at the same ordering time, prices have almost doubled for 1 person on line at different airfare sites and by calling them for a quote. hate China airlines but they are are about 40% cheaper with 1 stopover in Taiwan well worth the savings instead of flying straight from LA. Dollar exchange is about the same as last year and so is oil prices and just do not understand their large increase.

[RHCP]

Should have started years ago, they must have seen the lack of customers, and also using airlinequality.com or other blogs they could have seen the problems and acted accordingly.

Now put the prices down and some customers might use them.

75% customers per flight, cannot believe that for International flights, for national flights okay.

Thai lost my business on the London route years ago for the reasons cited by yourself and many others. The problems in recent years I believe have been a degree of arrogance and complacency along with other more longstanding issues. Even with this refurbishment on the B747s I will probably wait for the introduction of the A380 (if the price is right) as it is not clear to what extent the changes will be on these old 747s, i.e. full cabin or partial refurbishment.

[HerbalEd]

They also need to upgrade the Thai airhostesses- they have the oldest average age team in Asia- many in their 40s and 50s- unbelievable. Especially when compared to singapore, which sells itself on the f-ckability of its air hostesses -"Singapore girl, you're a good way to fly"- got to admire that forthrightness; thats the way to attract the high value business class travelling business men!

You are such a sexist/ageist. I'll take professionality and years of experience over "f-ckability" (your word) any day. There's plenty of that on the ground. BTW, how many Singapore Air hostesses have you had? Let me guess .... zero?

[Pulle]

More than 17years on international flights with Thai (BRU-BKK-BRU),and yes the last years quality of service went down and the prices went up(very high)!

Than there 's Star Alliance, but that doesn't seem to work at all (we used Lufthansa-Thai combination) !. Even as silver or gold member, everytime at check-in problems with luggage!

Since two years we fly Etihad and as silver member yet you may enter all Business lounges and the tickets are at a fair price!

Hope they can change their image back as it was in the "90 ies".... than maybe we try the new route from and to Brussels!

[jayjayjayjay]

I too can vouch that Thai Airways craft now are crap. I have flow with numerous airlines in the last couple of years to every corner of Asia. Garuda have better seats and services that Thai now. The seats are old and dirty. The food is so so, and the general comfort level sucks. They have gone from Royal Silk to Royal Squallor...

I honestly feel they need a quality experience outside (Westerner) to lead the organization. Thai is so full of cronyism they can not see the damage they are doing from within. It goes from top to bottom. Thai people are fooled into believe Thai Air is the quality airline it once was, but with the aging fleet, aging seats and aging air hostesses, the entire organization is due for fresh blood.

Either you haven't read my post #18, or you know things on the inside of TG that we are not privy to. Kindly enlighten us why you think the (relatively) new management is not good, as he is addressing all the issues that you are mentioning.

Edit: Initially forgot the word "not" in the last sentence.

I had not read your post #18, as I do not read every single post. But I did feel the need to express my opinion. Funny, as I have been an ROP (not an affiliates member) since 1995/6, I honestly can't remember. I had a huge amount of flying Asia/USA '97 -2002. During this period I flew nothing but Business class once of month, often more than that to the West Coast and then on to other destinations with United. In 2002, an ROP officer told me I had more points than any single member. That alone has not been influential on keep me exclusive to Thai. If the new management can understand that the comfort and 5-star service offered by middle eastern airlines in not eventually met in upgrades by Thai, then it will never reclaim the Royal Silk title it once really was. I still stand by my statement of cronyism, and it will take a long and dedicated effort to work this out of the organization.

[tombkk]

More than 17years on international flights with Thai (BRU-BKK-BRU),and yes the last years quality of service went down and the prices went up(very high)!

Than there 's Star Alliance, but that doesn't seem to work at all (we used Lufthansa-Thai combination) !. Even as silver or gold member, everytime at check-in problems with luggage!

Since two years we fly Etihad and as silver member yet you may enter all Business lounges and the tickets are at a fair price!

Hope they can change their image back as it was in the "90 ies".... than maybe we try the new route from and to Brussels!

I beg to differ: The Star Alliance inter-airline works well for me. Just flew BKK-CPH and CPH-HAM not only on different airlines, but even on different tickets. They booked me through from BKK. Same on the return flight: HAM-LON and then LON-BKK, again on different airlines and on different tickets, but all within the Star Alliance.

I have access to the Business lounge at every airport. This is standard for Star Alliance; SAS Lounge in LHR for example, even though I flew LH into and TG out of LHR. I can use the ANA Lounge in Narita even though I fly UA, just because I like it better. Star Alliance is the best invention since flying became affordable, and I earn miles on my ROP card regardless of which member airline I fly, and there are many.

How many airlines can you fly and get miles on your Ethihad card, and how many lounges can you use when you don't fly Ethihad?

[tombkk]

On our last flight with TG we shared the seat row with a lot of roaches that crawled out of the carpet. Really lovely. These planes are just way too old and shabby.

I've never heard this before but have no reason to think that you just want to spread rumours. Please advise flight number and date, so it can be determined which aircraft exactly this was. This needs to be brought to the attention of TG, of course. Did you complain to them?

No, unfortunately i dont want to spread rumors. The planes on this route (FRA-BKK) are really very old. If i remember it right it was TG920, the late departure from BKK.

In addition we had a very long delay but that was due to snow in FRA and not the fault of TG. They had been dealing with 6 hours on Stuttgart airport very professional and did all they could regarding service.

Snow? This must have been quite some time ago. Did you report the roaches to TG at the time? I don't think they would tolerate roaches on board, but we have even heard of mice and other unwanted passengers from airlines around the world.

[softgeorge]

Singapore Airlines had those personal screens in economy as far back as 97, hard to believe that Thai Airways is only installing them now. As a previous poster put it if they can now make their prices a bit more competitive then they might start to be more attractive, especially for those wanting direct flights to Thailand. Eva still does it for me at the moment.

Haven;t they had the screens in economy for yrs???

[tombkk]

I too can vouch that Thai Airways craft now are crap. I have flow with numerous airlines in the last couple of years to every corner of Asia. Garuda have better seats and services that Thai now. The seats are old and dirty. The food is so so, and the general comfort level sucks. They have gone from Royal Silk to Royal Squallor...

I honestly feel they need a quality experience outside (Westerner) to lead the organization. Thai is so full of cronyism they can not see the damage they are doing from within. It goes from top to bottom. Thai people are fooled into believe Thai Air is the quality airline it once was, but with the aging fleet, aging seats and aging air hostesses, the entire organization is due for fresh blood.

Either you haven't read my post #18, or you know things on the inside of TG that we are not privy to. Kindly enlighten us why you think the (relatively) new management is not good, as he is addressing all the issues that you are mentioning.

Edit: Initially forgot the word "not" in the last sentence.

I had not read your post #18, as I do not read every single post. But I did feel the need to express my opinion. Funny, as I have been an ROP (not an affiliates member) since 1995/6, I honestly can't remember. I had a huge amount of flying Asia/USA '97 -2002. During this period I flew nothing but Business class once of month, often more than that to the West Coast and then on to other destinations with United. In 2002, an ROP officer told me I had more points than any single member. That alone has not been influential on keep me exclusive to Thai. If the new management can understand that the comfort and 5-star service offered by middle eastern airlines in not eventually met in upgrades by Thai, then it will never reclaim the Royal Silk title it once really was. I still stand by my statement of cronyism, and it will take a long and dedicated effort to work this out of the organization.

1. I suggest to read every post in a thread before contributing.

2. In your first post, you "vouch" that Thai Airways are crap "now", but now you say that your experience is based on flights up to 2002.

3. You do not back up your claim of cronyism with any facts. It gives the impression that you do not base your opinion on any facts.

I take it you have not heard Khun Piyavasti's speech, which, by the way, was open to the public. I remember one lady from DPA (German Press Agency) remarking on how open he was before asking her specific question.

Anyway, kindly advise what your point is, as I cannot find it in your post, and you are not supplying any new facts.

[Grove]

Let me see- high prices and losing customers.

So - lets upgrade the cabins! So that the fewer customers that we have can have more comfort. Oh and by the way - we need to increase the prices to pay for this!

Duh - come on boys. Lower prices. Get more customers and then upgrade and encourage even more.

At 99,000 baht economy return to Europe from Bangkok in July - we did not even consider the cabins! We have not flownThai for about 10 years now.

In June I had to go back to the UK for a family matter, my agent got prices of 38750baht pp return, but my wife wanted a break and Etihad were prices at 35000.

Agents get cheaper prices than what is published on the Thai Airways website

Next time check with Thai Air direct in your home country. They normaly give you 50% off the agent or Internet price for some or other crazy reason if you pay in your home country. I've been doning that for the last two years.

[TAWP]

All long-hauls to Europe in 747s have been using the old semi-broken projector in cattle-class. Atleast their Airbus planes to US has monitors in the seats, as most other airlines have already added years ago...

[who]

Fly with T/A Not done it for the last 10+ year's and will never do it again. Have a friend that came with them a few week's ago. How was your flight I ask him at BKK Airport. Reply the biggest load of Cr*p that he had ever flown on. Bad food, service, old plane's, not one good word. EVA now there's a good set up. Well from London it is.

---- EVA is my choice whenever possible. The old guy that used to own the outfit was loved by his employees, and it showed. ----

Edited August 5, 2011 by metisdead
Font.

[who]

Never mind in flight entertainment. Every time I call the London office to book flights, I get treated in a condescending, patronizing manner. They act as if you should be grateful that they allow you to fly with THAI. I don't can see how they think that this will increase customer loyalty. Their prices are horrendous compared to competitors, and if you get a reasonable fare, they give you zero points on your Royal Orchid Plus card. So it's really pointless. I have swopped to the Middle Eastern Airlines, and although you have a stop over in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, at least you get friendly service on the ground and in the air.

It's sad to see how few people in one office can create so much customer dissatisfaction which ultimately harms the entire company.

---- It's not just a few in 1 office. It's the whole outfit ----

.

Edited August 5, 2011 by bonobo
reduced font size

[ginjag]

When they run their special offers TG can be one of the Cheaper airlines but they are a rip off the rest of the time Qatar Airways are ok and quite reasonably priced most of the time their in-flight entertainment is quite good but Doha Airport is a complete clusterf*@k at the moment although they are building a new one.

I would never fly a Middle Eastern airline to Europe for the simple reason that they interrupt my sleep half-way and I have to walk around an airport for a few hours. I will lose the whole arrival day, firstly because I arrive sometime around mid-day rather than in the morning, and I will be sleep-deprived and run around like a zombie (can't visit customers). A direct flight leaves BKK around midnight, gives me a full night of sleep, and I arive in the early morning (or mid-morning if I have to change planes to a smaller airport) and am fit to see customers before even checking into a hotel.

But of course, it depends on whether you fly for pleasure or for business.

Ginjag #35 please read.

For all your Thai promotion( sounds like your on the board) and your ref., to the chief who seems to be a near friend.

If you read my post on this 2nd page I mentioned about the last thread on this Thai Airways subject.

You seemingly didn't want to answer re-the buying of new aircraft, loads of them spread over the next7years. YES they have been ordered, but as I said why did they defer buying the first lot through shortage of funds-(QUOTE)

no money eh!---in the next breath they are saying they are 75% full--so are earning a fair wack at their astro prices, but low and behold the new man has decided to upgrade 20 year old 747-400s at a a few billion, stupid when they will be palming them off when the new aircraft arrive.

These 747s will be stripped as they are old and run as cargo flights -thats what most company's do with them.

I speak as I find, the last flight with Thai was tg916-917. LHR, I am a member but now I not use.

On principal PRICES--Aged craft--Did you ask the chief why they have no cash??--did the chief mention in his fab speech about the delaying of the new aircraft??? I will be lucky if you can answer these main points. 1-cash shortage== 2-75% full== 3-delay in the ordered aircraft ==4 you got a sharp answer from another poster, through over the top Thai promotion, Give us your opinion not spokesperson for Thai

Edited August 4, 2011 by ginjag

[snooky]

I have not flown Thai domestically very often, but their planes certainly do need upgrading. Recently, Thai announced phasing out older aircraft, including the A340-500's, which supposedly are the only aircraft that could fly non-stop BKK-JFK and which are currently used on the non-stop BKK-LAX routes. These planes are only about six years old compared to the average stated age of 12.5 years for the entire fleet. ???? I flew one trip in Premium Economy where the leg room was fantastic but the seat did not recline any more than in coach - again ??????

I flew the JFK-BKK non-stop several times, and altho a long trip, at least when I got off the plane I was at my destination instead of wandering around in circles, half asleep, transiting to another plane at another distant gate.

Thai management discontinued the NY flight due to high costs of fuel yet their quote on air miles is almost the same as to LAX. Where is the discrepancy? I thought fuel was more expensive in LA than NY - at least for automobiles it is.

There have been rumors to which I cannot give verification that in spite of the plane being full on almost every trip to/from NY that there were often too many non-revenue passengers (read V.I.P.s, relatives of airline officials, etc) occupying seats which could have gone to paying passengers. Anyone have any info on this and if true, hopefully the new CEO will be able to correct that situation and possibly reinstate those flights.

And altho I have been an airline passenger for over 60 years, I still hate the thought of crossing the Pacific in a two engine aircraft, no matter what the builders say!

[JacknDanny]

When they run their special offers TG can be one of the Cheaper airlines but they are a rip off the rest of the time Qatar Airways are ok and quite reasonably priced most of the time their in-flight entertainment is quite good but Doha Airport is a complete clusterf*@k at the moment although they are building a new one.

I would never fly a Middle Eastern airline to Europe for the simple reason that they interrupt my sleep half-way and I have to walk around an airport for a few hours. I will lose the whole arrival day, firstly because I arrive sometime around mid-day rather than in the morning, and I will be sleep-deprived and run around like a zombie (can't visit customers). A direct flight leaves BKK around midnight, gives me a full night of sleep, and I arive in the early morning (or mid-morning if I have to change planes to a smaller airport) and am fit to see customers before een checking into a hotel.

But of course, it depends on whether you fly for pleasure or for business.

You seem to be very Pro-Thai Airways

I,myself only ever fly Business Class. I have lived in Thailand for many years, so most of my travelling is within Asia, with the occasional long haul.

Fact is Thai airways is and has been for some time, crap, in comparison to most other airlines. Comapare Cathay and Singapore airlines with Thai....... its not even close

I recently used Qatar Airways to go back to the UK. Not only were their prices significantly lower than Thai, but their service was unbelievable. I dont think a 55 minute turn around in Abu Dhabi is too taxing!!

I even recently flew to Phnom Penh with Bangkok Airways Business Class... even they are a million times better than Thai Airways.

You can defend Thai Airways as much as you want.... maybe Khun whatsisname is going to make improvements, but as of right now they are way way behind most airlines in every department

[tombkk]

Ginjag #35 please read.

I did, of course.

For all your Thai promotion( sounds like your on the board) and your ref., to the chief who seems to be a near friend.

If you read my post on this 2nd page I mentioned about the last thread on this Thai Airways subject.

You seemingly didn't want to answer re-the buying of new aircraft, loads of them spread over the next7years. YES they have been ordered, but as I said why did they defer buying the first lot through shortage of funds-(QUOTE)

{...}

Give us your opinion not spokesperson for Thai

The reason I did not "answer" (I am not the spokesperson, by the way ) to the comments made about buying aircraft is that I don't know anything about the background of the changed decision beyond what was in the papers. I won't make assumptions or create or spread rumours, so I thought it best to not comment. Is that OK with you? :jap:

[DoctorG]

As someone who does not sleep on planes, the lack of individual in-flight entertainment is a deal-breaker for me. I stopped using TA on the Australia run, even though they have a direct flight.

I am retired, so I go cattle-class.

[cmrichsw]

<br>

<br>Should have started years ago, they must have seen the lack of customers, and also using airlinequality.com or other blogs they could have seen the problems and acted accordingly.<br><br><b>Now put the prices down and some customers might use them.<br></b><br>75% customers per flight, cannot believe that for International flights, for national flights okay.<br>

<br>prices down? You have to be joking! Things like that don't happen at Thai! <img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=""> <br>they don't get it and they never will get it <img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=""> <br> There are just so many better opportunities than Thai<br>

<br><br><br><b>Give something back to customers in Thailand???    I DON'T THINK SO</b><br><br>they don't get it and they never will get it - <b> IS CORRECT</b><br>

[ginjag]

Ginjag #35 please read.

I did, of course.

For all your Thai promotion( sounds like your on the board) and your ref., to the chief who seems to be a near friend.

If you read my post on this 2nd page I mentioned about the last thread on this Thai Airways subject.

You seemingly didn't want to answer re-the buying of new aircraft, loads of them spread over the next7years. YES they have been ordered, but as I said why did they defer buying the first lot through shortage of funds-(QUOTE)

{...}

Give us your opinion not spokesperson for Thai

The reason I did not "answer" (I am not the spokesperson, by the way ) to the comments made about buying aircraft is that I don't know anything about the background of the changed decision beyond what was in the papers. I won't make assumptions or create or spread rumours, so I thought it best to not comment. Is that OK with you? :jap:

Rumours-I don't tell porky pies--The statement that was made was on Thai Visa if you were wanting the truth you would have looked the thread up-a true report on the orders of the new aircraft-stated how many-when they will be phased in-what types-and this was by the chief himself.

As to the delay that was put on the European new A380, and others it said was due to shortage of cash QUOTE. Just to note compare the price of a new B-777er-----A-380. to the price of the refurbishment. ====20+ year old 747-400s. Normally we would give a refurb on an antique with its value increasing NOT on aged old planes that could well be scrapped or sold off to say (((Mongolian airlines)) with respect to them. if then you want to learn more about the above look the thread up it was only a short time ago. I dont hate Thai Airways-I am a member. But I do care about what I fly in and also cost compare, as we all do these days. I think I have been honest with my posts, and not on a Etihad/Emirates/Singapore/Cathay paycheck.

I did ask you if the chief in his refurb speech mentioned the delays?? and the other points...He wouldn't if he a

was spouting on about the changes he wishes to make, spending money that was to be spent on aircraft waiting in Europe to be delivered. Save the money-even if you only get 2 A380s for the London/Europe run.

Edited August 5, 2011 by ginjag

[exbelg]

they should have emplemented this 10 or 20 years ago... their price is still almost double than any other budget company, so really NO THANK YOU

[Sydebolle]

Why whine? I live here for more than 25 years and gave up TG when there was still TG and TH (Thai Airways and Thai Airways International). Got bumped off a plane for a senior TG-management member (an Air Chief Marshal I was told) and I never flew TG again. My company, my family and me must have accounted for millions of revenue which went to any other airline but TG. Spoilt for choice? Yes - today you are anyway as there is no monopolistic routing anymore.The proof of the pudding is in the eating!