Transport Minister To Supervise Thai Airways

[webfact]

Transport Minister to Supervise Thai Airways

BANGKOK: -- The transport minister calls on the national carrier Thai Airways to cut unnecessary spending and manage business risks to see profit this year.

Yesterday, Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan visited the headquarters of Thai Airways International to give a policy briefing regarding risk management and cost cutting, as well as measures to increase income by more efficient management of routes.

Jarupong met with Thai Airways board chairman Ampon Kittiampon and president Piyasvasti Amranand.

Thai Airways averages passenger occupancy at 75 to 78 percent, which is considered low and may lead to losses since fuel makes up 40 percent of total costs. However, the airline is managing the impact from the higher fuel cost via fuel-hedging contracts.

The minister said he has no plans to replace the Thai president as the assessment of the president's performance is the responsibility of the company's board. He reiterated that the company's losses is not a reflection of Piyasvasti's performance and expressed his confidence that the company's board is able to manage the airline efficiently and boost its competitiveness.

Piyasavasti reported that Thai Airways faced a net loss of 10.2 billion baht last year due to many factors but is optimistic that the company will see profit this year. Already the company has recorded profit of 1.5 billion baht for the month of January.

The Thai president has set a target of six billion baht profit for the whole year, which is a growth of seven percent year-on-year. The company has already implemented cost-cutting measures on costs relating to personnel and non-safety issues to cut spending by around 1.8 billion baht.

Jarupong also visited THAI-Amadeus Southeast Asia, which is also under the supervision of the Transport Ministry, to give his policies.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-02

[Reasonableman]

I thought the hedge for the 22-25% rate of unfilled seats was unrealistically higher fares. Bit of a chicken and egg situation. It's also probably the reason/cause for the 25%, as travelers choose to put their bums on other airlines' seats because they offer the same or better standard at lower prices.

Edited March 2, 2012 by Reasonableman

[trainman34014]

Easiest way to cut costs is take out the useless heads at the top. There are probably at least two levels of 'management' that could be taken out and never missed. Then pass on the savings by lowering ticket prices out of Thailand.

[Payboy]

What? No one wants to pay more for indifferent service in aging aircraft? Whatever happened to retro chic?

[airconsult]

What? No one wants to pay more for indifferent service in aging aircraft? Whatever happened to retro chic?

I was thinking the same thing - some time ago I got conned (by my wife) into taking a 5000thb round-trip special (including hotel) to HKG.

I say "conned" as I was busy and did not realise the aircraft operator was Orient-Thai. Initially I was nervous (see my handle) on the idea of a refitted 747-100, but actually whichever engineering company did the refit was superb - honestly the only way I could have enjoyed it more was if they had found some of the original velour curtains.

And maybe hung up a mirrored ball -

[lannarebirth]

Anyone got a CV for Khun Jarupong? Thai Inter Airways is a mess but what is his particular expertise in these matters to remedy that situation?

[ratcatcher]

Easiest way to cut costs is take out the useless heads at the top. There are probably at least two levels of 'management' that could be taken out and never missed. Then pass on the savings by lowering ticket prices out of Thailand.

As a trainman, you probably already realize that these guys are merely passengers on the gravytrain or flying circus that is Thai airways.

[lannarebirth]

Hard enough for the poorly structred Thai Airways to turn a profit without having to kick back to the Transport Minister as well.

[Ricardo]

Start by making all non-paying passenegers (MPs, Ministers, ex-Board-members,etc.) fly Economy-only, and subject-to-load.

Give priority to the fare-paying customers !

[phiphidon]

Hard enough for the poorly structred Thai Airways to turn a profit without having to kick back to the Transport Minister as well.

Those days are gone - the blood sucking leeches known as the BJP are no longer part of the coalition. Amazing what Abhisit was willing to inflict on the nation just to get into power eh?

[Reasonableman]

Same old suspects, huh? 555555

Hard enough for the poorly structred Thai Airways to turn a profit without having to kick back to the Transport Minister as well.

Those days are gone - the blood sucking leeches known as the BJP are no longer part of the coalition. Amazing what Abhisit was willing to inflict on the nation just to get into power eh?

[phiphidon]

Same old suspects, huh? 555555

Hard enough for the poorly structred Thai Airways to turn a profit without having to kick back to the Transport Minister as well.

Those days are gone - the blood sucking leeches known as the BJP are no longer part of the coalition. Amazing what Abhisit was willing to inflict on the nation just to get into power eh?

Are you denying that the BJP were central to corruption in Abhisits government and one of the reasons he failed to get re-elected? And is it so very wrong of me to defend a transport minister in the present government of being accused of taking "kickbacks" when no mention/accusation of corruption has been raised wrt to him apart from a knee jerk throwaway comment so beloved of the "usual suspects"?

For a reasonable man, your bias is showing.

[Reasonableman]

For a purportedly happy chappie your dead-end of bitterness is showing. Seems to be some disconnect here. Play the endless blame game if you wish. What's the endgame? Cheers.

Same old suspects, huh? 555555

Hard enough for the poorly structred Thai Airways to turn a profit without having to kick back to the Transport Minister as well.

Those days are gone - the blood sucking leeches known as the BJP are no longer part of the coalition. Amazing what Abhisit was willing to inflict on the nation just to get into power eh?

Are you denying that the BJP were central to corruption in Abhisits government and one of the reasons he failed to get re-elected? And is it so very wrong of me to defend a transport minister in the present government of being accused of taking "kickbacks" when no mention/accusation of corruption has been raised wrt to him apart from a knee jerk throwaway comment so beloved of the "usual suspects"?

For a reasonable man, your bias is showing.

[animatic]

"Transport Minister to Supervise Thai Airways"

Unforseen payoff related ​Bankruptcy emminent

Edited March 2, 2012 by animatic

[yoshiwara]

It is hardly rocket science to assume that a transport minister appointed by a convicted criminal (Thaksin:money laundering) might not be entertaining the perks of this little responsibility. Speaking of perks, one ministerial perk in the past was not only to demand free first class tickets for themselves and the whole family entourage, but also (cheeky sods) demanded the frequesnt flyer miles as well.

As a side note quite amusing to read the indignant suggestion that a minister appointed by Thaksin would have clean hands. Thaksin, the man who used his family and the family chauffeur for his financial laundering and tax evasion. Why on earth would he want to appoint a clean minister in the first place?