Senior officials should fly in economy class, PM Prayut says

[webfact]

BUDGET
Senior officials should fly in economy class : PM says

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has recommended that high-ranking government officials should travel in economy class of air travel so as to save the budget of the country.

Deputy government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the civil servants should act as model for the people in preventing corruption.

The premier said that the officials should reduce their overseas trips as many as possible and that foreign experts could be invited to give lecture in the country instead.

"The premier gave an example that a director general should fly in economy class when travelling in the country. However for the long flights, they should be allowed to travel in better level," the spokesman quoted Prayut as saying.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Senior-officials-should-fly-in-economy-class-PM-sa-30255241.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-04

[MaxLee]

as if......

[George Bowman]

I often fly between BKK and P-Lok. In the past the flight from P-Lok to Bkk was at 6:30am. Arrived at the airport in plenty of time only to find out that some Hi-So did not want to wait until 6:30 and had the flight leave earlier.

This was Nok Air at the time.. However they did state they previously sent me a text at 4am informing me of the change...

Never did get a refund...

Edited March 3, 2015 by missoura

[NongKhaiKid]

Will that include....?

[lildragon]

That wouldn't Everyday happen in any country in the world let alone here!

[Seastallion]

Actually, I think senior officials shouldn't fly cattle class. It's not becoming and it could be a higher security risk. But economise in other areas such as fewer flights, fewer relatives allowed etc.

[Jessi]

Just more happiness for the people.

[BigBadGeordie]

After making his statement the Deputy Spokesman left by helicopter to attend lunch at the 4 Seasons.

[FireMedic]

I would rather them fly first class than drive first class (road closures and escorts).

[rametindallas]

Since they're flying on the taxpayer's Satang, it is right they are frugal with the taxpayer's money. Good going General. Get rid of this Hi So mentality among the Civil Service. Too many of them think they are too good to work for a living. Once they are put in their place, maybe they won't be so quick to abuse their authority.

[ezzra]

And what next dear PM? ask them to be honest and preform their duties with diligence

and integrity? this is too much already...

[colinneil]

As previously mentioned, let them fly first class.

When they travel by road how many hours/ litres of fuel are wasted by the police escorting these people around.

Police stop everybody on the road to allow these people to pass, they should use that wasted time solving crimes e.t.c.

[lovetotravel]

Maybe they'll stop these ridiculous bus caravans heading all over the place with government officials out spending the taxpayers money. With police cars in front and back signaling for all to get out of their way.

[robblok]

Since they're flying on the taxpayer's Satang, it is right they are frugal with the taxpayer's money. Good going General. Get rid of this Hi So mentality among the Civil Service. Too many of them think they are too good to work for a living. Once they are put in their place, maybe they won't be so quick to abuse their authority.

Great change..... would not catch the Shins doing that believe Thaksin had his own private jet (on the taxpayers money). The general truly is a man of the people. Many hate such stupid hiso mentality and the spending.

[Lupatria]

Maybe it's just an attempt to push ordinary folks to switch to business or first class. Many are a bit picky about who sits next to them.

[Muhendis]

A better idea would be to pay their expenses at the economy class rate but let them pay the extra out of their own pockets to travel business class if they want.

[Johnny S]

Another nail in Thai Air´s coffin ....

[steelepulse]

Unless official business, they should pay for their own tickets. Too often they fly on personal junkets on these freebies.

[shaurene]

Will that include....?

Why does the PM say they must fly in Economy unless they are paying their own fare. They all fly with Thai and get top class Buss or 1st for free, of does the PM not know this,

[wabothai]

How about them getting an economy ticket and if they want to fly 1st class they have to make up the difference out of their own pocket.

Now this would have been a smarter remark from our beloved, ex-general PM.

[Prbkk]

He appears to be saying that this should apply to domestic flights only....not much of a hardship for flights of less than 90 minutes duration. The real drain on the budget is for international business class travel and particualrly so if choosing TG and their inflated fares

[robblok]

He appears to be saying that this should apply to domestic flights only....not much of a hardship for flights of less than 90 minutes duration. The real drain on the budget is for international business class travel and particualrly so if choosing TG and their inflated fares

Its a start and a far cry from the private jet of Thaksin.

[h90]

Actually, I think senior officials shouldn't fly cattle class. It's not becoming and it could be a higher security risk. But economise in other areas such as fewer flights, fewer relatives allowed etc.

in my home country there would be a long queue who want to slap our top politicians.

Maybe it would be good if they have to mix with the ordinary people and hear what their concerns are. Security risk...yes. Who is taking care of the security of any other guests?

I think my staff and politicians are the staff of the tax payer should fly cattle class. For relatives or upgrades they have to pay from their private money....anyway also money they have stolen from me.

[Muhendis]

"The premier said that the officials should reduce their overseas trips as many as possible and that foreign experts could be invited to give lecture in the country instead."

That would be a really good idea since most of the foreign experts are already here and frequently post on this forum..

[crobe]

He appears to be saying that this should apply to domestic flights only....not much of a hardship for flights of less than 90 minutes duration. The real drain on the budget is for international business class travel and particualrly so if choosing TG and their inflated fares

Economy on domestic and in ASEAN, business class allowed elsewhere was the message coming down to my government department yesterday.

The real effect is that some (not all) government departments are scaling back the travel - this will hit Thai badly as their biggest revenue stream is from the government officials

[Daniel Ingalls]

For Heavens Sake!!! let them fly first class all the way! Don't let them into economy class. They have already grabbed my ankles once and hanged me upside down shaking every baht out of my pockets.

[geriatrickid]

Since they're flying on the taxpayer's Satang, it is right they are frugal with the taxpayer's money. Good going General. Get rid of this Hi So mentality among the Civil Service. Too many of them think they are too good to work for a living. Once they are put in their place, maybe they won't be so quick to abuse their authority.

Great change..... would not catch the Shins doing that believe Thaksin had his own private jet (on the taxpayers money). The general truly is a man of the people. Many hate such stupid hiso mentality and the spending.

You do realize that the General has a fleet of aircraft at his disposal don't you? And you do realize that the seniormilitary officers have always used air force assets to ferry them about. Nothing has changed. When did Thaksin have a private jet when he was PM? He had access toThai Airways aircraft for government business. So did Abhisit. and so does the current big man. It is appropriate that the head of a government have access to such transport. Senior cabinet members as well. It is a security risk to have senior cabinet members exposed to the general public on an aircraft. Tehse people carry confidential information with them or are important to the national security. What happens if the defense minister is attacked by some nutter on a flight to Hat Yai? Should the pax on some flights be put at risk of a bomb or violence because a cabinet minister or PM makes an easy target.

You think the general is a man of the people? When did he ever forgo his helicopter when he was head of the army?

The current statements are all for show. Do you know why? There is no domestic first class in Thailand. The only airline that has provided business class is TG and now that the majority of domestic routes have been handed over to Thai Smile, business class is gone on those routes. Cabinet members and senior civil servants have constantly changing schedules. If they were flying on a Thai econo ticket, the cost of changes or cancellations could double or triple the cost.

Put your thinking cap on.

[robblok]

Since they're flying on the taxpayer's Satang, it is right they are frugal with the taxpayer's money. Good going General. Get rid of this Hi So mentality among the Civil Service. Too many of them think they are too good to work for a living. Once they are put in their place, maybe they won't be so quick to abuse their authority.

Great change..... would not catch the Shins doing that believe Thaksin had his own private jet (on the taxpayers money). The general truly is a man of the people. Many hate such stupid hiso mentality and the spending.

You do realize that the General has a fleet of aircraft at his disposal don't you? And you do realize that the seniormilitary officers have always used air force assets to ferry them about. Nothing has changed. When did Thaksin have a private jet when he was PM? He had access toThai Airways aircraft for government business. So did Abhisit. and so does the current big man. It is appropriate that the head of a government have access to such transport. Senior cabinet members as well. It is a security risk to have senior cabinet members exposed to the general public on an aircraft. Tehse people carry confidential information with them or are important to the national security. What happens if the defense minister is attacked by some nutter on a flight to Hat Yai? Should the pax on some flights be put at risk of a bomb or violence because a cabinet minister or PM makes an easy target.

You think the general is a man of the people? When did he ever forgo his helicopter when he was head of the army?

The current statements are all for show. Do you know why? There is no domestic first class in Thailand. The only airline that has provided business class is TG and now that the majority of domestic routes have been handed over to Thai Smile, business class is gone on those routes. Cabinet members and senior civil servants have constantly changing schedules. If they were flying on a Thai econo ticket, the cost of changes or cancellations could double or triple the cost.

Put your thinking cap on.

Oh baby.. the guy can't do a thing right in your book. That was to be expected. Now all of a sudden they need to fly in business as they are else in danger. Justifying the PTP all of a sudden its more expensive to fly economy and business has no cancel cost.. oh Kid.. poor you. The general has done so many things that your bunch or criminals has not its sad.

Sure for the army nothing changed, but this was about a change for politicians not for the army.

As for your other comment.. its a first step.. slowly things change.

[maidee]

will he give the good example ?

[Enoon]

He appears to be saying that this should apply to domestic flights only....not much of a hardship for flights of less than 90 minutes duration. The real drain on the budget is for international business class travel and particualrly so if choosing TG and their inflated fares

Its a start and a far cry from the private jet of Thaksin.

Thaksin! Thaksin! Thaksin! Thaksin! Thaksin!