THAI: Four vie to head Thai Airways

[webfact]

THAI
Four vie to head Thai Airways
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

Charumporn Jotikasathira

Four outsiders are racing to rescue national carrier Thai Airways International from its financial crisis.

BANGKOK: -- A THAI representative said yesterday that four applicants for president would be short-listed based on their qualifications and capabilities. The finalists will be passed to the board of directors for selection.

The source said two hopefuls had been competing for the post since the last opening. This time, without any insiders, two new outsiders are joining. The airline on Wednesday closed applications and expects to take weeks to welcome its next chief.

"Among the four candidates, there is one, Charumporn Jotikasathira, ex-president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, with a high possibility of being picked for the post," the source said.

Charumporn was approached by the finance minister to come in and deal with the tough situation, especially the financial crunch.

However, the human resources department did not disclose details on all four applicants.

Acting THAI president Siwakiat Jayema early this week said the airline should achieve its cost-cutting target of Bt3 billion to Bt4 billion this quarter, as it saw positive signs for its load factor during the high season that would help it pull it out of its financial morass.

Suraphon Isragura Na Ayuthya, executive vice president for commercial affairs, said the airline would focus on the corporate market to secure income for the entire year.

Corporates targeted

The airline aims for Bt157 billion in ticket sales this year amid many headwinds including political issues and the global economic instability.

"We will boost sales to corporations both in Thailand and overseas. In the domestic market, we have signed memoranda of understanding with seven giant companies and four travel companies. This will help secure the whole year's sales," he said.

The big companies include Thai Namthip, Thai Beverage, BB, Bayer and Quality Ceramic, while the four travel agencies are Bonus Travel, Rungsap Holiday, Skadia Travel and Born Holiday.

The airline expects that corporate sales will rise by 10 per cent next year and also contribute a larger share of total ticket sales than the current 5 per cent.

This year, the airline is counting on Bt3 billion in sales to 412 corporations in the domestic market and Bt3 billion to government organisations. It hopes sales to these two groups will reach Bt10 billion next year.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Four-vie-to-head-Thai-Airways-30245617.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-17

[NongKhaiKid]

Applicants will be short listed based on qualifications and capabilities BUT most important of all who is the best connected ?

[The stuttering parrot]

Thailand better hope they don't get Alan Joyce the CEO at Qantas.!

[ChrisY1]

Any with experience of running an airline company?.............I doubt there would be any, seeing as they're most likely all Thai candidates.........couldn't possibly advertise internationally could we!

[BoonToong]

I really can't figure out why it is so outrageously expensive on some routes. I recently bought a business class ticket to the UK and wanted to fly Thai because I like their setup and service levels but the price was wayyyyyyyy over what BA were charging so I went for BA. I hope they get this sorted.

[hansgruber]

Depends on how much one has to pay to get the job.

It's sad how public companies are run like a mini government.

Government within a government culture is why everything is in such a sad state.

Look at the railways for example.

Sent from my LG-D858

Edited October 17, 2014 by hansgruber

[noitom]

They need a professional airline industry executive from outside Thailand. They need to recruit a former CEO of a major preferably one of Thais Star Alliance partners.

[kamahele]

They need to bring in a foreigner to clean house. A German (for example) airline professional could turn this company around in a few years if given free reign from the government.

[Lupatria]

No resume and job interview required as they will pick the less qualified for the job anyway

[MZurf]

Maybe Tim Clark is ready for new challenges? Imagine the consequences if a result oriented CEO was in charge of Thai...

[shaurene]

Thailand better hope they don't get Alan Joyce the CEO at Qantas.!

He was ok, it was the unions that killed Qantas 100%.

[Ozziepat]

Thai Airways is the government for all practical purposes. The Ministry of Finance retains controlling interest, which means the government is traded on the stock exchange, even if there isn't a government, or maybe there is; hard to sort out, what with all the transparency and stuff. Anyway, the term "outsider" does take on a slightly different meaning in this context. And the previous posters are correct; choice won't extend to include any non-Thais or anyone else outside of a favored few, thus guaranteeing a sub-optimal choice and more can kicking in the form of restructuring, etc. Because the airline is effectively operated by the State, it absolutely will not be allowed to fail. Face, you know. Very big in these parts.

PS

Regarding all the rosy growth predictions for 2015, one brief comment: Ebola.

I hope someone is busy on a realistic economic impact assessment.

[ginjag]

Just travelled Thai to London. The reason Lufthansa had a 3 hour delay so I was switched to TG 916.

Shocked to find I was aboard a A340-600. 250 on board only, un economical for sure, These gas guzzlers have to be full to be viable, I love this plane, for it's space/seating.

The price is the key, Thai have been told this is the main reason for them going down hill. THEY WILL NOT LISTEN. WHY ?????? because they will be seen to be in the wrong and cannot change ---losing face----this is it in a nutshell.

Booked Lufthansa----return 31,000. Thai 50,000 for 3 month ticket duration.

[Fab5BKK]

Charumporn Jotikasathira: Experience within the airline industry? None. Does it matter? No, because he's Thai

BTW, I tried to look @ his LinkedIn profile: none. A not so well -connected person outside Thailand

[Mudcrab]

Charumporn Jotikasathira: Experience within the airline industry? None. Does it matter? No, because he's Thai

BTW, I tried to look @ his LinkedIn profile: none. A not so well -connected person outside Thailand

I know many colleagues who also refuse to use Linkdin. Who needs a corporate version of Facebook when a simple email or phone call will allow contact with the truly influential people not the wannabes?

[Inepto Cracy]

Well if Thai airlines stopped giving free bee tickets or massivly reduced tickets to past employees kids, they would save a bomb. The kids of any age of a Thai worker, go to the Thai Airlines Staff office, then on production of a photostat copy of their father or mother, as past and retired persons, they pay for an ecconomy seat at staff price. Then at check in they get bumped up to first class, without paying any extra. I know this is a fact, as I have a friend who does this. Flies to any destination world wide, for a fraction of the cost of a normal seat.

The airline will also stop all flights on the South African route from the 14th January 2015.

I say go bust and black out your name from all air routes.

[Thai at Heart]

I still don't see why propping up an airline that provides seats for the rich is worthy of subsidy any more than rice.

Why is taxpayer money going to rice farmers seen as populist whilst money seen going to Thai airways is apparently money well spent.

Hmmmmmm

[NativeSon360]

They need to bring in a foreigner to clean house. A German (for example) airline professional could turn this company around in a few years if given free reign from the government.

Right! And cause all those "established" Thai executives to lose their incompetent/high salary/Mercedes-Benz faces???? That'll NEVER happen.

Edited October 18, 2014 by NativeSon360

[peterbkk9]

I know some of the names. Some of them are highly competent, with absolute integrity.

And this in itself is very rare in Thailand nowadays.

Edited October 18, 2014 by peterbkk9

[tominbkk]