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Mid · 18-12-2009, 03:37 PM

Thai Airways chairman probed
Dec 18, 2009

BANGKOK - THAI Airways International said its board was launching an investigation into the alleged evasion of excess baggage charges by Executive Chairman Wallop Bhukkanasut after the affair caused a scandal in Thailand.

'The board has approved a plan to set up a committtee to examine the case, which expect to conclude within three weeks,' Ampon Kittiampon, chairman of the airline's board, told reporters after a meeting on Friday.

Newspapers have reported that Wallop and his wife got out of paying excess baggage charges on more than 40 suitcases on a flight to Bangkok from Tokyo. The luggage was said to contain mainly fruit.

They were also said to have bypassed Thai customs controls by having their baggage delivered to the lost-and-found section at Suvarnabhumi airport.

Union leader Jamsri Sukchotirat submitted a letter to the board on Friday morning asking for an investigation into the affair.

It comes at a time when the airline is restructuring after a huge net loss of 21.4 billion baht (S$902 million) in 2008. Its president told Reuters in November that it was not certain to return to profit this year. -- REUTERS

straitstimes.com

the dogcatcher · 18-12-2009, 04:05 PM

Who said it was fruit?

aging one · 18-12-2009, 04:11 PM

Nail the fucker to the wall. If the new President is to succeed he will have to. The guy was ratted out by fellow employees fed up with this shit. Now the unions members will wear black or a band until the fucker is indicted.

Set an example and nip it in the bud.

good2bhappy · 18-12-2009, 04:14 PM

maybe drugs

Tom Sawyer · 18-12-2009, 04:19 PM

^^
Come on, you can't be serious..

THAI is now, and has always been, a boondoggle of the establishment. No medium size airline like that could lose 900 million Sing DOLLARS (around 800 million US) in one year in operational problems. And remember, it's been losing money for years and years.

Money has been siphoned off that place for years and getting appointed to the board was always a profitable political reward.

Nip it in the bud.. shut it down is more like it - but they can't because there will be a huge hole in the accounts that no one can (or dares) to explain. So it can never be allowed to go bankrupt..get it?

Travelmate · 18-12-2009, 04:24 PM

An airline that charge tickets at world class prices and yet pay it staff at local Thai wages. And still loses billions defies belief!

gjbkk · 18-12-2009, 04:25 PM

ah, so no rubber gloves then

aging one · 18-12-2009, 05:22 PM

Hence its up to the new president. We all know the corruption there. It would be nice to set a precedent. Fuck it lets see.

peterpan · 18-12-2009, 05:32 PM

lets hope he succeeds, its been a trough for the pigs to dip their filthy snouts for so many years that it will be a big task to turn it around

MeMock · 18-12-2009, 05:50 PM

Ubon is to lose it's three times a day thai flight to Bangkok to be replaced with Nok air in Feb.

Spin · 18-12-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

No medium size airline like that could lose 900 million Sing DOLLARS (around 800 million US) in one year in operational problems.

I think you're wrong, those airlines that hedged fuel charges when oil was at 147$ per barrel got their asses handed to them big style when oil went to 33$.

IIRC Thai was one such company that fucked up in this manner.

gjbkk · 18-12-2009, 06:38 PM

Could it be something to do fact that Thai on the 9th of this month filed a civil suit against 36 people, including Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, demanding 575 million baht in damages for the People's Alliance for Democracy's blockades of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports from Nov 24 to Dec 3 last year.

Or is it just a simple case that Wallop is another ignorant Thai elite bastard that is used to getting his own way?

BobR · 18-12-2009, 06:38 PM

About a month ago, the new head of Thai ( I forget his name) publicly discussed how cronyism, nepotism and outside interference were destroying the airline and how these had to be stopped if Thai was to be profitable, competitive or even survive. We had a long thread on it here. That's the real significance of this story. If this guy gets away with what he did, then any reform of the airline is obviously not going to happen.

Tom Sawyer · 18-12-2009, 06:54 PM

^ and ^^

Yes to both above - I was also thinking there was probably no coincidence there. What a snake pit..

Tom Sawyer · 18-12-2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

No medium size airline like that could lose 900 million Sing DOLLARS (around 800 million US) in one year in operational problems.

I think you're wrong, those airlines that hedged fuel charges when oil was at 147$ per barrel got their asses handed to them big style when oil went to 33$.

IIRC Thai was one such company that fucked up in this manner.

Yes that's very true. But THAI has been doing this for years - so fuel hedging is a good excuse for only a couple of years.

I recall in the Thaksin years, or it may have been during the Army rule, that there was this multi-billion dollar debt news report in one of the papers. It was jaw dropping, then it disappeared and I have never seen another report about total debt - though I'm sure it could be found in an AGM report.

Panda · 19-12-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjbkk

Could it be something to do fact that Thai on the 9th of this month filed a civil suit against 36 people, including Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, demanding 575 million baht in damages for the People's Alliance for Democracy's blockades of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports from Nov 24 to Dec 3 last year.

Or is it just a simple case that Wallop is another ignorant Thai elite bastard that is used to getting his own way?

If you are going to call the crooks out you better make sure you are squeaky clean. And I guess that must make a lot of problems in a country where virtually all of the social/political hierarchy have taken advantage of the "privileges" their social status affords them.

keda · 19-12-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpan

lets hope he succeeds, its been a trough for the pigs to dip their filthy snouts for so many years that it will be a big task to turn it around

He'll get loads of support for a clean up, because that's good politics, but how long you reckon any CEO would survive once he brings out the Dettol?

forreachingme · 19-12-2009, 11:33 AM

Could be the suitcases of Takki...

18-12-2009, 03:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mid Nautical Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 20,698	Thai Airways chairman probed Thai Airways chairman probed Dec 18, 2009 BANGKOK - THAI Airways International said its board was launching an investigation into the alleged evasion of excess baggage charges by Executive Chairman Wallop Bhukkanasut after the affair caused a scandal in Thailand. 'The board has approved a plan to set up a committtee to examine the case, which expect to conclude within three weeks,' Ampon Kittiampon, chairman of the airline's board, told reporters after a meeting on Friday. Newspapers have reported that Wallop and his wife got out of paying excess baggage charges on more than 40 suitcases on a flight to Bangkok from Tokyo. The luggage was said to contain mainly fruit. They were also said to have bypassed Thai customs controls by having their baggage delivered to the lost-and-found section at Suvarnabhumi airport. Union leader Jamsri Sukchotirat submitted a letter to the board on Friday morning asking for an investigation into the affair. It comes at a time when the airline is restructuring after a huge net loss of 21.4 billion baht (S$902 million) in 2008. Its president told Reuters in November that it was not certain to return to profit this year. -- REUTERS straitstimes.com __________________ "Keeping quiet while monks and other peaceful protesters are murdered and jailed is not evidence of constructive engagement." - Arvind Ganesan, Human Rights Watch. "I think...I think it's in my basement. Let me go upstairs and check" - M.C. Escher

18-12-2009, 04:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tom Sawyer Chiang Saen Last Online: Yesterday 10:21 PM Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 544	^^ Come on, you can't be serious.. THAI is now, and has always been, a boondoggle of the establishment. No medium size airline like that could lose 900 million Sing DOLLARS (around 800 million US) in one year in operational problems. And remember, it's been losing money for years and years. Money has been siphoned off that place for years and getting appointed to the board was always a profitable political reward. Nip it in the bud.. shut it down is more like it - but they can't because there will be a huge hole in the accounts that no one can (or dares) to explain. So it can never be allowed to go bankrupt..get it? __________________ My mind is not for rent to any God or Government, There's no hope for your discontent - the changes are permanent!

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18-12-2009, 04:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
the dogcatcher Thailand Forum Last Online: Today 07:38 AM Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: My body is not a temple, It's the hell where I reside. Posts: 3,447	Who said it was fruit?

18-12-2009, 04:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
aging one Elite Member Last Online: Today 10:17 AM Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5,352	Nail the fucker to the wall. If the new President is to succeed he will have to. The guy was ratted out by fellow employees fed up with this shit. Now the unions members will wear black or a band until the fucker is indicted. Set an example and nip it in the bud.

18-12-2009, 04:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
good2bhappy Thailand Travel Forum Last Online: Yesterday 07:48 PM Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Klong Samwa Posts: 13,314	maybe drugs

18-12-2009, 04:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Travelmate I am on the road... Last Online: Today 09:57 AM Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4,480	An airline that charge tickets at world class prices and yet pay it staff at local Thai wages. And still loses billions defies belief!

18-12-2009, 04:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
gjbkk Baa Gaam Member Last Online: 10-08-2010 06:17 PM Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: โรงแรมม่านรูด Posts: 4,291	ah, so no rubber gloves then

18-12-2009, 05:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
aging one Elite Member Last Online: Today 10:17 AM Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5,352	Hence its up to the new president. We all know the corruption there. It would be nice to set a precedent. Fuck it lets see.

18-12-2009, 05:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
peterpan Thailand Travel Forum Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pleasantville Posts: 6,682	lets hope he succeeds, its been a trough for the pigs to dip their filthy snouts for so many years that it will be a big task to turn it around

18-12-2009, 05:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
MeMock Thailand Travel Forum Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Peppers Bakery, Ubon Ratchathani Posts: 10,300	Ubon is to lose it's three times a day thai flight to Bangkok to be replaced with Nok air in Feb.

18-12-2009, 06:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
gjbkk Baa Gaam Member Last Online: 10-08-2010 06:17 PM Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: โรงแรมม่านรูด Posts: 4,291	Could it be something to do fact that Thai on the 9th of this month filed a civil suit against 36 people, including Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, demanding 575 million baht in damages for the People's Alliance for Democracy's blockades of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports from Nov 24 to Dec 3 last year. Or is it just a simple case that Wallop is another ignorant Thai elite bastard that is used to getting his own way?

18-12-2009, 06:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
BobR Thailand Expat Last Online: Today 06:54 AM Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,697	About a month ago, the new head of Thai ( I forget his name) publicly discussed how cronyism, nepotism and outside interference were destroying the airline and how these had to be stopped if Thai was to be profitable, competitive or even survive. We had a long thread on it here. That's the real significance of this story. If this guy gets away with what he did, then any reform of the airline is obviously not going to happen.

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18-12-2009, 06:54 PM	#14 (permalink)
Tom Sawyer Chiang Saen Last Online: Yesterday 10:21 PM Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 544	^ and ^^ Yes to both above - I was also thinking there was probably no coincidence there. What a snake pit..

19-12-2009, 11:33 AM	#18 (permalink)
forreachingme 7.1 k islands Last Online: Yesterday 12:26 PM Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake de Bay - Sta Rosa Posts: 1,859	Could be the suitcases of Takki...