Newley Purnell
Bad news for folks — and I am one — who like to fly Thai Airways nonstop between Bangkok and Los Angeles.
The carrier recently said that as of May 1, TG 794 and 795 will connect in Seoul. And flights won’t be offered on Mon., Wed., and Fri. And the premium economy class is going the way of the dodo.
Here’s the announcement on the Thai Airways U.S. site. (I haven’t seen anything on the Thailand TG site.)
And here’s more from Examiner.com.
(Via @Anasuya.)
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MCOT says Thai Airways will launch a low-cost carrier in April, 2012:
The new airline has not yet been given a name. “Thai Silk”, “Thai Wings” and “Thai Fly” were initially offered for selection by the public and THAI staff.
And:
Mr Ampon added that the board, meanwhile, approved the extension period of THAI and Singapore’s Tiger Airways contract for another three months. If by then Thai Tiger Aiways, earlier planned to be operated by both airlines, cannot yet be set up, Thai Airways International will cancel its joint venture with the Singaporean counterpart.
There are also stories from Reuters, the WSJ and the Bangkok Post.
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AP: FBI: Flight lands in Los Angeles after bomb threat:
LOS ANGELES — A Thai Airways flight from Bangkok landed safely at Los Angeles International Airport Tuesday evening after a bomb threat written in poorly worded English was spotted on a bathroom mirror on the plane, authorities said.
Airport officials were notified at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday of the alleged threat to Los Angeles-bound Flight 794, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.
UPDATE: There’s more from AFP.
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The executive chairman of Thai Airways has resigned following allegations that he, his wife and another executive had flown with almost 400 kg of baggage between Tokyo and Bangkok last November.
Wallop Bhukkanasut, the chairman, said most of the more than 40 pieces of luggage belonged to an unnamed but important person and contained fruit to be donated to a Bangkok temple. He tendered his resignation before an internal inquiry could report next week.
The alleged incident, leaked by Thai staff disgruntled at cost-cutting at the lossmaking national carrier, produced widespread outrage in Thailand.
“His resignation has set an ethical standard for the airline’s executives on responsibility,” Ampon Kittiampon, the chairman of the board, said yesterday.
Mr Wallop has also been accused by Thai staff of ordering his baggage to be delivered to the lost and found baggage office to avoid customs duty, an allegation he denies.
(Emphasis mine.)
Here’s more info from the Bangkok Post and the WSJ.
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