Thai Airways reacts to global crises

[webfact]

THAI
Thai Airways reacts to global crises
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation


Charamporn

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International is preparing crisis management to deal with economic and financial problems outside Thailand, said the airline's president, Charamporn Jotikasthira.

The national flag carrier is facing global problems such as the continuing economic slowdown in Europe, the debt crisis in Greece, high risk of a financial crisis in China, the ongoing Russian economic problems, and a weaker Thai currency.

"I can say that there are many problems happening outside, but that not all of them have reflected on our business and operations yet," he said. However, the airline is watching the situations carefully and also preparing crisis management including adjustments to flights and routing, overall operations, and business plans if the situations get worse.

Asked how the airline will deal with the current stock-market crisis in China, as it is one of the most important markets for THAI, Charamporn said it could cut flights, as it did recently when South Korea was facing an outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome. As for the weakening of the baht against key foreign currencies, the airline is expecting to post a foreign-exchange loss.

Charamporn said THAI's average load factor during the second quarter was 75 per cent, up by about 6 percentage points from same quarter last year. But yield dropped year on year because of low-fare promotions.

"The improved load factor so far is still lower than our projection that aimed at 80 per cent for the first half of this year," he said.

The airline projects an average load factor of 75 per cent for the entire year.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul does not expect this country's tourism sector to be hit by global crises, including the Greek issue. The coming high season should see a lot of arrivals, she believes.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said India was becoming one of most active markets for Thai tourism, and could compensate for declining markets such as Russia and Europe.

Recently, Bangkok topped the list of Asian cities most searched for as summer holiday destinations by Indians. Although London was the top-searched destination overall, Bangkok came in at No 2 globally, ahead of other favourite destinations such as New York, Dubai, Paris and Toronto.

In the first quarter of this year, Thailand welcomed 231,012 Indian visitors, an increase of 13.73 per cent over the same three months in 2014. TAT is projecting 1.05 million arrivals from India this year.

Indian visitors know Thailand as a hospitable and a year-around tourism destination with plenty of value-for-money products and services. Indians get visa-on-arrival facilities at Thailand's international checkpoints.

Indian leisure travellers generally go shopping and sightseeing in Bangkok and Pattaya, with an increasing number also heading to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui, Chiang Rai, Krabi, Ayutthaya and Koh Chang. Recent years have also shown a marked rise in the number of Indian filmmakers, MICE (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) delegates, wedding parties and honeymooners.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Thai-Airways-reacts-to-global-crises-30264114.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-10

[canopus1969]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said India was becoming one of most active markets for Thai tourism, and could compensate for declining markets such as Russia and Europe (and China)

Talk about 'out of the frying pan and into the fire'

[asdecas]

Indian men are very sharing people; drinks; meals; ladies of the night...

[FloridaExport]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said India was becoming one of most active markets for Thai tourism, and could compensate for declining markets such as Russia and Europe (and China)

Talk about 'out of the frying pan and into the fire'

Interesting. There was just a story yesterday talking about a significant decline in Indian tourism to Thailand. Typical Thai reporting. If you cover all angles, one is bound to be correct.

[NongKhaiKid]

Put the fares up as per the usual Thai business model when business etc is down.

[sammygood]

is there a world outside thailand they have to care about ? is thailand not the centre of the universe (anymore) ?

[Srikcir]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said India was becoming one of most active markets for Thai tourism

Meanwhile the India government is eeking ways to make Thailand a more active market for India tourism. That would cut into Thailand's domestic tourism that accounts for more than one-third of its total toursim revenues.

TAT can promote Junta tourism while India can promote Democracy tourism.

[Mot Dang]

Indian men are very sharing people; drinks; meals; ladies of the night...

Sharing, too much and uninvited some times. A friend of mine was in a hotel off Sukhumvit that is frequented by Indians. At breakfast he went around the breakfast buffet to get what he wanted. He put his plate down (just behind him) to receive his previously ordered eggs. As he turned around an Indian was sampling his breakfast with his fingers. Nuff said ........

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

Let the Baht depreciate to 40 against the USD and the problem is solved. But that is difficult to motivate because then the elites Ferrari's becomes more expensive. The other day I was in BKK and spoke to a very well to do businessman. I asked him if his business was feeling the downturn in the economy. He said they were going great guns and asked how things was in our area. I said that we are experiencing a sharp down turn which can be seen in tourist numbers, new car sales and property sales. He was shocked and said in his area there are no problems and that his friends are all buying new sports cars and beach houses. Just show how each persons perception of reality differs.

[Jimlove]

is there a world outside thailand they have to care about ? is thailand not the centre of the universe (anymore) ?

As my wife explain : Most Thai people just tink bout small house, farm and Buffalo ... nothing else in their mind - dont know bout World outside ...

I guess she is right - I have never meet such unknowing people. I lived for a few years in Kenya and they are Einstein compared to this place which says a lot ...

I dont think Thai Airways exist in 10 years time ...

Edited July 10, 2015 by Jimlove

[ginjag]

is there a world outside thailand they have to care about ? is thailand not the centre of the universe (anymore) ?

As my wife explain : Most Thai people just tink bout small house, farm and Buffalo ... nothing else in their mind - dont know bout World outside ...

I guess she is right - I have never meet such unknowing people. I lived for a few years in Kenya and they are Einstein compared to this place which says a lot ...

I dont think Thai Airways exist in 10 years time ...

Jim, depends on the age group and area, rural older people-I agree with you. City---and ALL young Thais are thinking----I WANT--big house---big car---big gold--go England--fashion clothes. I live in Udon re think again beyond wify.

But I agree with "near ALL Thais do NOT know about the world outside---they are not taught it. geography is near non existent - Thai Airways shot themselves in the foot years ago------less service--older aircraft--higher prices.

[bamnutsak]

The good news is that TG was able to hold onto their 2nd LHR slot - not sure how - so no daily 2nd flight for 1 July - 24 Oct, but will add it back ( 2-class 777-300 I think ) from 25 Oct through (at least) 26 March 2016 on the old TG 916/917 schedule.

The second daily flight to FRA will also return.

Thai to resume double-daily LHR and Frankfurt services

Published: 08/07/2015 - Filed under: News »

Thai Airways will restore its double-daily services from Bangkok to London Heathrow and Frankfurt in October.

Fierce competition forced the national carrier to halve flight frequency to both cities this summer (see news, February 16).

Both daily services, TG910/911 and TG920/921, are currently operated by an A380 and will continue to be so.

From October 25, the restored flights, TG916/917 and TG922/923, will be operated by B777-300ER aircraft.

thaiairways.com

Edited July 10, 2015 by bamnutsak

[Ulic]

A cheaper Greece if there is a Grexit will not help, shutdown of tourism in Tunisia with

increased terrorist activities will help, 30% loss in value in the Hang Seng will not

help, weaker baht would help, but the baht has not lost its strength the USD has

gone up in value. Against the Australian, Canadian, Kiwi, dollars and the Euro

the baht remains strong. So Thailand looks good for the Swiss and Americans but

not so much for the rest. Only superior management of Thai Airways will see it

through difficult times. So we shall see what comes to pass. Plenty of fat to trim

if management is allowed to do its job. Big losses if the hogs remain at the trough.

[JAG]

Thai Airways International will continue to be propped up by the taxpayer, as long as the snouts and trotters in the trough are those of colleagues of those who form the government.

As many of those who "run" Thai Airways are retired senior Air Force officers this will be the case for the foreseeable future..

[baboon]

is there a world outside thailand they have to care about ? is thailand not the centre of the universe (anymore) ?

As my wife explain : Most Thai people just tink bout small house, farm and Buffalo ... nothing else in their mind - dont know bout World outside ...

I guess she is right - I have never meet such unknowing people. I lived for a few years in Kenya and they are Einstein compared to this place which says a lot ...

I dont think Thai Airways exist in 10 years time ...

Jim, depends on the age group and area, rural older people-I agree with you. City---and ALL young Thais are thinking----I WANT--big house---big car---big gold--go England--fashion clothes. I live in Udon re think again beyond wify.

But I agree with "near ALL Thais do NOT know about the world outside---they are not taught it. geography is near non existent - Thai Airways shot themselves in the foot years ago------less service--older aircraft--higher prices.

I only log in to the THAI website for a quote once I have already bought my ticket with another carrier and fancy a laugh afterwards...

[geriatrickid]

TG is about to experience collateral damage courtesy of the General who leads the military rulers of Thailand. On why he ordered the deportation of muslim refugees from China;

"If we don't do this, what else are we going to do? Do you want to feed them until they produce three litters of offspring?” he said, using the word kroak (ครอก) which means animal offspring."

The usual reaction is as follows;

1. Boycott and/or avoidance of a market described as racist ;

2. Targeting of TG aircraft by terrorists. (Not too difficult considering how lax security in Thailand is);

3. Increased aid to southern insurgents;

4. Hostile response from countries Thailand has sought out for trade and investment such as Iran, and the Gulf states.

[bangon04]

Indian men are very sharing people; drinks; meals; ladies of the night...

Sharing, too much and uninvited some times. A friend of mine was in a hotel off Sukhumvit that is frequented by Indians. At breakfast he went around the breakfast buffet to get what he wanted. He put his plate down (just behind him) to receive his previously ordered eggs. As he turned around an Indian was sampling his breakfast with his fingers. Nuff said ........

Indian men are very generous when sharing their body odour inside the plane..... look forward to a higher concentration..

[MaiChai]

I recon the plan will be: ask government for more money.

If I was an Indian coming to Thailand on holiday would I choose expensive Thai Airways or a cheap Indian airline?

[ginjag]

TG is about to experience collateral damage courtesy of the General who leads the military rulers of Thailand. On why he ordered the deportation of muslim refugees from China;

"If we don't do this, what else are we going to do? Do you want to feed them until they produce three litters of offspring?” he said, using the word kroak (ครอก) which means animal offspring."

The usual reaction is as follows;

1. Boycott and/or avoidance of a market described as racist ;

2. Targeting of TG aircraft by terrorists. (Not too difficult considering how lax security in Thailand is);

3. Increased aid to southern insurgents;

4. Hostile response from countries Thailand has sought out for trade and investment such as Iran, and the Gulf states.

Typical anti Government agenda from you. As usual all the negatives and blame the general ??

Can you tell me how Thai Airways was run under the Shin regime ?? low priced--profitable--after all the Yingluck government were in charge.

T.G. suffered so much damage through BAD management going back 20+ years, Nothing to do with the general who inherited so much DUNG.