Senior officials should fly in economy class, PM Prayut says

[z42]

How about giving them an allowance (albeit reasonable) of some kind. And if they wish to exceed it, then they can do so at their own expense

[Thai at Heart]

Its bad enough that they fill up business class. Don't force them all in to economy, please...

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Since they're flying on the taxpayer's money let them travel the same way as most taxpayers do in Thailand, by bus.

[RKASA]

Tele con video networks - none of them ever need to travel. Get some international bandwidth and forget about it. why so much turning fuel into noise and getting not much done mean time - if they got used to the internet vpn version they would talk more often and get more done.

[chickenslegs]

will he give the good example ?

The PM is a man of the people. He always travels by stolen motorbike.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805251-pm-prayut-rides-big-bike-wearing-cap/

Edited March 4, 2015 by chickenslegs

[geriatrickid]

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.

Facts are facts. True or False, the discussion of domestic flying classes is a non issue because most of the internal flights are now all economy.

True or False, most of the senior government positions are held by personnel who are affiliated with the military. As you agree, the military have access to their own air fleet. If there is one rule for "civilian" cabinet ministers and senior officials and another for the military, there will be two forms of travel conduct. This is wrong, and I believe that even you can agree with that.

You state that for sure nothing changed for the army. Well, if the army is running the government, then what really has changed?

I am not "justifying the PTP". Rather, I am pointing out common sense policy that senior officials travel in a manner that ensures their protection. If anything, it is a defense of some of the current cabinet members and other officials flying in a premium cabin.

The fact of the matter is that your assumption, that great sums will be saved if everyone flies in domestic economy is incorrect. I pointed out that it is normal that schedules change and that officials often do not take their original flights, particularly on the BKK hub flights. The travel times from the army headquarters and government buildings to the airports can be very long such that it is inefficient and wasteful of time for these officials to try and keep to flight schedules. Also, some of the cabinet members are members of Royal Orchid and can avail themselves of their e ups or status and access lower cost fares and upgrades if they so choose. How will one differentiate between someone in J flying on an e-up vs, a full fare pax? The government already benefits from a special fare on the domestic premium classes that is given to large clients. This is nothing special or unusual and is common in the west. My former employer purchased tickets in bulk that allowed for premium classes.

If that reads as a justification for current government behaviour on government travel, so be it. The real issue has been and will always be, government and military officials flying on long hauls. This is where the abuse has always been. The General's policy does not address the issue, because the only workable option is a clear statement that government business flights of less than 8 hours will be paid at economy fare levels. The General did not address this aspect of the travel.

Edited March 4, 2015 by geriatrickid

[baboon]

^^

You are dealing with a true believer, GK. Not a thing you say will budge his stance by as much as a millimetre. You are completely wasting your time.

[rametindallas]

Tele con video networks - none of them ever need to travel. Get some international bandwidth and forget about it. why so much turning fuel into noise and getting not much done mean time - if they got used to the internet vpn version they would talk more often and get more done.

Exactly right. As proof, the fugitive felon and former PM, Thaksin Shinawatra was able to run the entire PTP/Thai government from abroad via Skype.

[webfact]

State agencies asked to cut back on study trips abroad

BANGKOK, 5 March 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has told state agencies to cut back on foreign study trips in order to save on budget, according to Deputy Government Spokesperson Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

Maj. Gen. Sansern said that General Prayut had told state agencies to conduct self-monitoring in order to prevent and suppress acts of corruption, telling the agencies that they needed to act as role models in graft prevention.

According to the deputy spokesman, General Prayut has asked the agencies to consider reducing less crucial study trips abroad, and to consider inviting foreign experts to give lectures in Thailand instead of the more costly study trips. State agency executives, such as directors-general, who need to attend conferences abroad have been asked to consider economy class travel to save travel expenses. Officials with positions of deputy director-general and below have also been asked to travel in economy class.

The prime minister has also assigned the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to work on development of mobile device applications that will provide the public with information on the undertakings of the government and updates of data relevant to people's daily lives, such as the prices of produce and food items, Maj. Gen. Sansern added.


-- NNT 2015-03-05

[natway09]

Flights of 7 hours or longer business class is OK. Under 7 hours get down the back with me

[Kaalle]

With the hundreds of millions in their bank accounts I propose they pay for everything themselves.

[lvr181]

"recommends"? Make it an "order/expectation" otherwise no one will do it!

Thai thinking; it's only a recommendation, we DON'T HAVE to do it.

But sounds good for happiness of Thai people.

[tullynagardy]

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.

You really do post the same nonsense over and over don`t you?

Prayuth travels exactly the same way Thaksin and previous PMs did - In Thai military VIP aircraft.

[Chicog]

In fairness, I think Thaksin learned the hard way that flying on his own aircraft might be slightly safer for him.

[chooka]

Will that include....?

No he said senior officials not the PM or his family.

[billd766]

In fairness, I think Thaksin learned the hard way that flying on his own aircraft might be slightly safer for him.

Just after that he was crying about an assassination attempt.

After the accident investigation found that there was a fault in the aircraft he went quiet

for a while.

[crobe]

 

"recommends"? Make it an "order/expectation" otherwise no one will do it!

Thai thinking; it's only a recommendation, we DON'T HAVE to do it.

But sounds good for happiness of Thai people.

 

The government agency I work with has been limiting the travel for the past 9 months. I have been to some conferences (paid by me) where there is an empty chair with the Thailand name on it - so it is not true that people will not do it because it is only a recommendation

A big difference when 2 years ago everyone over a certain level (including me) got to fly business class - I can;t remember the last time I did.

[lvr181]

 

"recommends"? Make it an "order/expectation" otherwise no one will do it!

Thai thinking; it's only a recommendation, we DON'T HAVE to do it.

But sounds good for happiness of Thai people.

 

The government agency I work with has been limiting the travel for the past 9 months. I have been to some conferences (paid by me) where there is an empty chair with the Thailand name on it - so it is not true that people will not do it because it is only a recommendation

A big difference when 2 years ago everyone over a certain level (including me) got to fly business class - I can;t remember the last time I did.

I hope those are not rose tinted glasses you are wearing