Tanasak assigned to negotiate with Japan over flight bans

[Thaivisa News]

Bangkok:- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he has assigned his deputy and foreign minister, Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn, to negotiate with the Japan to be lenient over its bans of chartered flights from Thailand.

Following its inspections, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has flagged Thailand as a "significant safety concern", prompting Japan to ban chartered flights of three Thai airlines – Thai Airways International (THAI), Nok Air and Scoot.

The three airlines have submitted permissions to fly chartered flights to bring Thai tourists to Japan during the long Songkran holidays.

Japan also prohibited THAI, AirAsia X and Asia Atlantic from increasing flights or changing routes.

Prayut said he has assigned Thanasak to talk to the Japanese government to relax the bans as it could affect Thai tourism industry severely but he is not sure of the outcome of the talk.

Prayut blamed the previous government for ignoring the Civil Aviation Department’s request for upgrading its operations, for the ICAO’s negative designation.

THAI President Jarumporn Chotikasathein said Japan’s ban on new flights will affect five chartered flights THAI has planned for the high-season during the Songkran holidays.

Jaumporn said THAI’s plan to increase flights to other countries could also be affected by ICAO’s concerns on Thailand’s aviation safety.

He said THAI and the Civil Aviation Department have sent representatives to talk to the ICAO to affirm THAI’s safety standards.

Yutthachai Sunthornrattanawej, president of the Association of Domestic Travel, said the ban will affect about 1,100 tourists from Thailand a day during the peak season in April and May, which are school holidays.

[Costas2008]

"Prayut blamed the previous government for ignoring the Civil Aviation Department’s request for upgrading its operations, for the ICAO’s negative designation."

And your government that has been in charge for nearly a year now, what have you done about this?

Nothing as the previous government.

So cut the rhetorics and do something for the safety of the people.

[2fishin2]

They cant keep their own airlines Thai Air in order how are they going to enforce standards on other airlines? This ban also prevents the use of newer airplanes replacing older ones on existing routes. Typical Thai response of blaming others. Instead of complaining about losing tourism dollars better to concentrate efforts on meeting safety standards. But then again this is Thailand and there is no safety

[clockman]

The only to make safety, in Thailand. Is by forcing them to comply. Because they will talk and talk. But nothing happens. So i hope Japan stays firm!

[Songhua]

More concerned about loss of face, reputation and tourism figures than whether people might die or not.

What happens when it comes time to act? .... They schedule negotiations!

[taony]

Not even a passing comment on addressing the safety concerns. Only trying to convince people to change their minds into thinking there are no safety concerns.

[wangsuda]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he has assigned his deputy and foreign minister, Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn, to negotiate with the Japan to be lenient over its bans of chartered flights from Thailand.

Negotiate? Why not just fix the problem? "Well, yes, we are sub-standard, but we want you to understand that OUR way is by far the best. So you have to allow us to be sub-standard."

Thailand: a nation in need of a spanking.

[2fishin2]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he has assigned his deputy and foreign minister, Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn, to negotiate with the Japan to be lenient over its bans of chartered flights from Thailand.

Negotiate? Why not just fix the problem? "Well, yes, we are sub-standard, but we want you to understand that OUR way is by far the best. So you have to allow us to be sub-standard."

Thailand: a nation in need of a spanking.

I was thinking about this today....what would Thailand be like if the British colonized it years ago? Interesting in that back then, nobody felt the need to interject into Siam. This is one country that could have used some foreign intervention. A little bit more foreign influence 100 years or so ago would have been a good thing. Safety is a learned trait and we all know how the thais feel about learning and or safety

Edited March 28, 2015 by 2fishin2

[harryfrompattaya]

The world loves to pick on Thailand

We all know they are jealous of all the great things Thailand has given the World.

[NeilSA1]

Given all the recent problems and accidents with aviation (human error or not) Thailand must upgrade its aviation operations. I, and many others probably will not book Thai flights in future until upgrading has taken place. I guess we can safely monitor Japans actions if/when they are fully satisfied with any upgrade and they remove the ban, albeit it may take years.

[NanLaew]

"Prayut blamed the previous government for ignoring the Civil Aviation Department’s request for upgrading its operations, for the ICAO’s negative designation."

And your government that has been in charge for nearly a year now, what have you done about this?

Nothing as the previous government.

So cut the rhetorics and do something for the safety of the people.

I am I getting this right?

You are criticizing Prayut AND his government?

Really?

Excuse me, I must go lie down.

[harryfrompattaya]

I think you right

[NongKhaiKid]

Negotiate over safety concerns, how very Thai.

[BigBadGeordie]

"Prayut blamed the previous government for ignoring the Civil Aviation Department’s request for upgrading its operations, for the ICAO’s negative designation."

And your government that has been in charge for nearly a year now, what have you done about this?

Nothing as the previous government.

So cut the rhetorics and do something for the safety of the people.

I am I getting this right?

You are criticizing Prayut AND his government?

Really?

Excuse me, I must go lie down.

Moderators please help urgently!!!!!!

I think the account Costas2008 has been hacked ;-)

[2fishin2]

"Prayut blamed the previous government for ignoring the Civil Aviation Department’s request for upgrading its operations, for the ICAO’s negative designation."

And your government that has been in charge for nearly a year now, what have you done about this?

Nothing as the previous government.

So cut the rhetorics and do something for the safety of the people.

I am I getting this right?

You are criticizing Prayut AND his government?

Really?

Excuse me, I must go lie down.

Why not the Pman blames Ying for lost rice!

[Pib]

Safety is not one of Thailand's strong points...nor is being proactive. Change comes very slowly.

[colinneil]

At least they are not blaming theBurmese this time.

[ldiablo]

There he goes again blaming the previous government even though he has been in power for almost a year and has done nothing to correct the issue.I have to say I am surprised to read that Costas has taken a different approach on this topic.

[trainman34014]

So when the Europeans step in and ban all flights from Thailand on Thai flagged aircraft, what will they do then....ask for mercy for a poor third world country that doesn't understand the rules ?

What you need to do Dear General is start kicking a lot of useless arse's into touch and get people in who can put things right quickly....even if that means swallowing your pride and bringing in Foreigners to do things properly.

[LuckyLew]

instead of begging Japan to relax the bans in the sake of Thais image and the tourism industry issues

how about Thailand and the airlines in question do something about the safety issues that were raised

Pretty sad that the flag carrier is on this banned list

[fred Kubasa]

What part of NO don't they understand ?

[wabothai]

I just don't know how to react. I am speechless and just shaking my head in disbelieve.

[Robby nz]

Just what are these unsafe practices and where are all the accidents that they have led to ?

We have seen in recent times problems in Malaysia and now Germany and things like Chinese opening emergency doors.

I do seem to remember a Nok Air plane skidding off a runway and a problem with one plane before take off which was rectified but other than that where are the dangers ?

Japan seems to be the only country that has any worries, could they be looking after their own ?

[Phatcharanan]

I was thinking about this today....what would Thailand be like if the British colonized it years ago? Interesting in that back then, nobody felt the need to interject into Siam. This is one country that could have used some foreign intervention.

I'm sure that Afghanistan,Iraq and Libya are thinking the same as well.

:-(

Edited March 29, 2015 by Phatcharanan

[englishoak]

Just what are these unsafe practices and where are all the accidents that they have led to ?

We have seen in recent times problems in Malaysia and now Germany and things like Chinese opening emergency doors.

I do seem to remember a Nok Air plane skidding off a runway and a problem with one plane before take off which was rectified but other than that where are the dangers ?

Japan seems to be the only country that has any worries, could they be looking after their own ?

its far more reaching than Japan this is the aviation industry findings. A better report here but dosnt even include SE Asia and the ramifications http://www.wfw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/WFW-Aviation-ThailandPotentialICAODowngrade.pdf

Edited March 29, 2015 by englishoak

[jpduggan]

There are 25,000 deaths on Thai roads every year and the authorities do nothing about the blatent disinterest in wearing helmets on bikes or 2 or 5 family members on one bike.Different of course if a falang doesn't wear a helmet. Keep the pressures on as its the only way.