Thread: THAI expat deal causes a stir

The long-held tradition of Thai Airways International (THAI) being managed entirely by Thai nationals is about to change.

The struggling flag carrier is about to appoint a foreign airline professional as a vice-president to address one of the weaknesses stalling its rehabilitation — sales.

The appointment of Australian Bryan Banston, originally from Melbourne and with more than 30 years' experience in the airline industry, is imminent pending the finalisation of his remuneration package, insiders said.

Appointing Mr Banston vice-president for sales at THAI is noteworthy primarily because he will break a taboo among Thai state enterprises, which do not normally have expats in executive positions.

Mr Banston, who previously served as vice-president for commercial operations for Australasia at Emirates, will be the first non-Thai to assume the executive post since the early 1980s, when a couple of Americans and Scandinavians held senior executive jobs at THAI.

The forthcoming appointment has fuelled criticism within airline circles, as the company's board quietly extended the employment of Wayne Pearce, a former chief executive of Oman Air, as international adviser to THAI president Charamporn Jotikasthira for another six months from the end of last year despite disagreement expressed by cabinet ministers when the appointment first took place.

Questions were raised about the generous employment package being extended to Mr Banston, regarded as exorbitant by Thai nationals.

According to guidelines recently approved by THAI's board, the Australian executive will receive a basic maximum salary of 650,000 baht a month.

That is three times the level paid to a Thai executive of ...

Bangkokpost.com

But the question is how long will he last in the Position, why he'd want to leave Emirates to go to Thai is a mystery.

Thai wife?

brave man.

Originally Posted by Hans Mann

were raised about the generous employment package being extended to Mr Banston, regarded as exorbitant by Thai nationals.
According to guidelines recently approved by THAI's board, the Australian executive will receive a basic maximum salary of 650,000 baht a month.

Because, Somchai, unlike his Thai colleagues, he won't be using his position to grab backhanders and myriad freebies and other "opportunities" for himself, family and friends. He'll be living on his official salary alone

Funny how the post have got his salary, possible ulterior motives for publishing it.

Originally Posted by Hans Mann

That is three times the level paid to a Thai executive

but he will do the work of 20 thai scammers

Hope he spends all the cash in Aus.

This is ideal- they can just blame the foreigner when it eventually goes tits up

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

But the question is how long will he last in the Position, why he'd want to leave Emirates to go to Thai is a mystery.

Got fed up with the rag heads and camel lands bleakness?

Originally Posted by Henrie

Thai wife?

If he's got no more sense that that it's doomed now

If he can help turn around THAI airways, he will be worth his salary. The airline suffered 18.1 billion baht in net losses in the first nine months of last year.

650k is hardly a world class expat salary. It's par for a decent London estate agent perhaps, but nowhere near board level remuneration for a company of Thai's size and difficulties

He gets other payments and benefits. He will be entitled to "a monthly travel allowance of 70,000 baht, a housing allowance of 100,000 baht, four business-class tickets each for international and domestic travel on THAI per year, medical and other fringe benefits"

I think this is a worrying story. A fuss about employing a foreigner in the national airline. In a highly competitive international market such businesses need the best talent regardless of nationalist feelings.

Originally Posted by Neverna

He gets other payments and benefits. He will be entitled to "a monthly travel allowance of 70,000 baht, a housing allowance of 100,000 baht, four business-class tickets each for international and domestic travel on THAI per year, medical and other fringe benefits"

Rather less than a reasonably senior BA pilot then?

Although to be fair, this guy has made a lot of money helping Emirates to steal business from Thai and will now make lots more helping Thai steal it back. He is the only winner.

Originally Posted by Neverna

If he can help turn around THAI airways, he will be worth his salary. The airline suffered 18.1 billion baht in net losses in the first nine months of last year.

Will he try and stop the entitled elites flying free with their entourages on shopping trips to Europe? Or the "Saffron Class" of monks flying gratis in Business?

Poor bloke looks a bit like a sacrificial lamb, tbh. Here's hoping he makes a good go of it though.

Originally Posted by Henrie

Although to be fair, this guy has made a lot of money helping Emirates to steal business from Thai and will now make lots more helping Thai steal it back. He is the only winner.

Not many people travel Bangkok/Dubai/Australia would you think?
So how did he orchestrate stealing from Thai? Please explain.

Originally Posted by Hans Mann

Mr Banston, who previously served as vice-president for commercial operations for Australasia at Emirates, will be the first non-Thai to assume the executive post since the early 1980s, when a couple of Americans and Scandinavians held senior executive jobs at THAI.

Emirates offers an excellent service from numerous European cities to Bkk and Oz (also via Singapore)

They are cheaper and arguably much better than TG in almost all respects.

You have to change in Dubai, but for many that's not an obstacle.

At last!
Get someone with some brain and real experience in operating an airline is the best thing Thai airways could do ...I just hope for them it's not too late!

The guy may have (and cause) hard times getting the airline straight by removing special benefits to Army Generals, Monk, and other Puu Yai etc. That would be a start but won't be sufficient...

Originally Posted by Lostandfound

Originally Posted by Hans Mann

were raised about the generous employment package being extended to Mr Banston, regarded as exorbitant by Thai nationals.
According to guidelines recently approved by THAI's board, the Australian executive will receive a basic maximum salary of 650,000 baht a month.

Because, Somchai, unlike his Thai colleagues, he won't be using his position to grab backhanders and myriad freebies and other "opportunities" for himself, family and friends.

Are you sure of this?

Consider the situation deeper, would ya?

I give him 6 months, 1year max until he is relieved of duty. Thai Airways is obviously looking for a fall guy and you know they can't be Thai.

Good luck to the man but I wonder if he's ever experienced a Thai workplace before?

Originally Posted by aging one

Originally Posted by Henrie

Although to be fair, this guy has made a lot of money helping Emirates to steal business from Thai and will now make lots more helping Thai steal it back. He is the only winner.

Not many people travel Bangkok/Dubai/Australia would you think?
So how did he orchestrate stealing from Thai? Please explain.

Originally Posted by Hans Mann

Mr Banston, who previously served as vice-president for commercial operations for Australasia at Emirates, will be the first non-Thai to assume the executive post since the early 1980s, when a couple of Americans and Scandinavians held senior executive jobs at THAI.

Try reading the entire OP linked story. There is a continent called Europe beyond your thinking.