What they are certainly targeting at is reducing the number of non-ROP award flyers . Though increasing earned ROP miles between 30 %and 60 % makes no sense against doubling the " price " for their award tickets . There is a different aspect to consider assuming that Thai intends to run the company by selling tickets for cash .

I gave up using them late ast year because it had become impossible to get seats on my preferred flights ( FRA>BKK only ) let alone choose my preferred seats . Thai probaby thinks ( or thought ) maybe 1600 € are better than 4600 € for an F seat . It has been my first letter I ever sent to an airline carefully expaining them what I think about all this and that they can throw my next Platinum card due in July into the nearest dustbin . I am not sure if they have other ways of regulating their award business but this is a sign of hope although upsetting their ROP miles-collectors .

Respectfully .

For the record : Currently (!) using Etihad .