[QUOTE=larrythai;25108881)
..... Gold status got more and more difficult to achieve, as most tickets no longer gave 100% miles. Award tickets were burdened with "taxes and fees" that had no basis in reality. ....
.[/QUOTE)

I don't agree with that: compared to other airlines, it's still quite easy to attain Gold Status with 50K Star-A-Miles per year, and its simply not true that most tickets no longer grant full mileage, as only those in V- and W-classes have been cut down to 25% (while various other airlines in more than just two classes don't grant any more miles at all.
If someone really is up for status and hunting miles, it's easy for him to do it with Royal Orchid Plus for fares in Queen-class and up. And the benefits for Gold Members (more or less free complimentary confirmed upgrade) must not be underestimated.
And note that Royal Orchid Plus members still can earn miles and redeem award tickets on all THAI Smile flights.