travelislife

I wouldn't go anywhere near Orient Thai. Their behaviour after the loss of 89 odd lives back in 07 was disgraceful. A web of cover ups and fraudulent documentation and manipulation. Fortunately they couldn't hide from the international scrutiny. The Thai investigator found 'nothing untoward' just an accident and it took an Australian TV show to press them with their fraudulent pilot scheduling.

Sorry a bit OT, but it does point in the same direction as what is obviously systematic issues with Thailand's Aviation control and standards. Remember the last one of these audits was done in 2005, nearly 10 years ago, so who knows how long some of the items the audit picked up on have been left to slip by.

Nightbus to Dalson

It's being reported in the UK press now
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...-concerns.html

transpac

Now impacting THAI (TG) directly...not sure if this will lead to delays/cancellations?



THAI safety concerns extend to EU

Europe has quietly begun to vet safety standards of Thai Airways International (THAI) aeroplanes that fly to its airports over concerns about Thailand's aviation safety standards. The inspections, which...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...s-extend-to-eu


and elsewhere...

Australian watchdog turns up heat on Thai Airways, after bans in other countries

THAI Airways is still flying direct in and out of Australia 45 times a week despite bans being imposed by three other countries, including China, Japan and South Korea.

The bans on charter flights and new routes operated by the airline followed safety concerns raised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) after an audit of Thai Airways.

A Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman said they were aware of the issues raised by ICAO in relation to Thailand, and had requested further detailed information.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel...-1227289723000

transpac

You know it's bad when...


Cambodia to monitor safety of Thai planes

Cambodia's State Secretariat for Civil Aviation (SSCA) will monitor planes from Thailand in the wake of the ban on new charter and regular flights to Japan, South Korea and China due to concerns over safety...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...of-thai-planes

BinSabai

just a late 1. April joke...

transpac

Japan permits Thai airlines to fly April, May charter flights - minister


(Reuters) - Japan's civil aviation agency has agreed to temporarily lift a ban preventing Thailand-registered airlines from operating charter flights to Japan from April 11 to May 31, Thai Transport Minister Air Chief Marshall Prajin Junthong said on Friday.

Citing safety concerns highlighted by an international audit, the agency late in March imposed a ban on Thai airlines from operating new charter and scheduled services to Japan.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/0...0MU0SU20150403


Japan aeronautics firms eye Thai base

THE NATION April 4, 2015 1:00 am

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MR Pridiyathorn Devakula revealed that Japanese manufacturers are currently "very keen" on moving their aeronautics production base to the Kingdom after the Board of Investment (BoI) changed its promotion policy to give more priority to manufacturing activities requiring higher technology and machinery.

The BoI has recently approved a relaxation of its criteria regarding the use of foreign machinery at its latest meeting on Thursday where foreign businesses moving their production bases here can now use machinery that is more than 10 years old but it must have passed the BoI's extra regulation first.

Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong revealed on Thursday that the expansion of airlines business in Thailand is going well despite the negative effect from the announcement of safety concerns by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). He said four firms, have received BoI privileges to expand their production bases.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/busi...-30257395.html


'Long-term steps afoot to boost civil aviation'

THE NATION April 4, 2015 1:00 am

A MEMORANDUM of understanding signed this week allowing Thai flights into Japan after an earlier partial ban over safety concerns is only a short-term measure, Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said.

And Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his weekly television programme, said he would use his special powers under Article 44 of the interim charter to expedite an upgrade of the country's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

Japan had imposed restrictions on some Thai-registered carriers after a critical audit of the Kingdom's system by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The MoU signed on Thursday between the DCA and the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) resulted in a two-month grace period for Thai carriers.

Under the agreement, all flights from Thailand to Japan must be certified by the DCA regarding safety and security, and all charter flights from this country will be investigated by the JCAB upon arrival.

"These are only short-term measures. For the long term, the ministry will revise aviation regulations in order to meet international standards," Prajin said.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/busi...-30257418.html


THAI statement regarding ICAO USOAP findings on Thai DCA

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) today issued the following statement regarding ICAO USOAP (International Civil Aviation Organization Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program) audit findings on the Thai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

Mr. Charamporn Jotikasthira, THAI President, firmly stated that “THAI places safety first before finances.” No matter the outcome of the ICAO USOAP audits on Thai Department of Civil Aviation (Thai DCA), Thai Airways International (THAI) is committed to delivering the highest safety practices for the flying public. We have been and continue to follow above and beyond the requisite compliance requirements of air safety standards and regulations worldwide.

http://www.eturbonews.com/57267/thai...dings-thai-dca

transpac

South Korea bans Thai charter flights, affecting 10,000 passengers

April 6, 2015 1:19 pm

South Korea is banning charter flights from Thai airlines after Thai negotiation team failed to convince Korean civil aviation authorities in the first-round talk

Civil Aviation Department director general Somchai Piputwat disclosed that Thai civil aviation team flew to South Korean on April 2 to talk to the Korean authorities on the international Civil Aviation Organisation’s safety concern on charter flights operated by by Thai airlines.

However the team failed to convince the Korean civil aviation authorities to ease flight restriction on Thai airlines after the ICAO voiced safety concern.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/sou...000-passengers



Prajin awaits Korea's next move on bans

Thai authorities are on alert for whether the South Korean aviation agency will ban more Thai-registered airlines, amid watchdog concerns over Thai aviation safety.

If Seoul decides to ban more Thai-registered airlines, Bangkok may consider cancelling Korea's two airlines flying to Thailand because the Korean agency has violated the Korean-Thai aviation agreement,...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...t-move-on-bans

UAAAPeter

This is an excellent review of the kinds of consequences of this audit:
http://www.wfw.com/wp-content/upload...ODowngrade.pdf

The problem in Thailand is that the Prime Minister thinks that Falang (westerners) will react in the same way that his own people are supposed to following his strong pronouncement. Well this fella is in for a shock when the US Feds start snooping around. I'm sure it is like an IRS audit. Unpleasant is putting it mildly. They will slowly look in every trash can. And, more to the point, in every computer file going back years. And they will find dirt you can be sure. Absolutely sure. And I can't imagine that TG will be immune. It's too big not to have dirt. If a well run airline like Southwest can get fined $328k recently and $12m last year, then you can be sure that TG is in line for fireworks.

And the minor carriers with those filthy planes at BKK and DMK? One can only imagine.

Lucky that Boeing and Airbus make their planes pretty immune to bad practices I guess.

Not sure I'd risk UA miles on TG, but I will probably risk my life as I have for years. Safer than the drive from the airport anywhere in the world is my feeling. Let's hope so! So the question is will TG get suspended from Star Alliance? That's what we on FT want to know. And soon.

BinSabai

I guess then some other airlines would have to be suspended first!

seanthepilot

The problem here is that the issues permeate all the airlines, from crew and airline certification, maintenance, to the legitimacy of any certified documents. Within the country is a disease of failed integrity mixed with an insistence on three things, controlling costs beyond anything else, never letting your competition get an upper edge, and ignoring any fault (what they call saving face, but is really an excuse for their refusal to self-assess and admit fault).

The end result is a system where:
1) Anything WILL BE CERTIFIED. If it's not, and you are the person to certify, we'll go somewhere else, and you will lose face. So, you must approve our medical, maintenance records, etc.
2) No company will allow to have any competitor out 'budget cut' them. This will result in any short cuts being adopted industry wide. Otherwise the company that follows the rules looses face.
3) A total disregard for rules, safety, authority, and a sense of superiority manifest a culture of following "the Thai way" which means turning their backs on any thing that follows any whim they have.

Now, airline safety is quite high. I don't mean to alarm you.
But, this country and its airlines are not above reproach. I assure you.

hgp

Maybe old news:
http://www.businesstraveller.asia/as...egative-review

tg911

Bit of a delayed departure today TG911 scheduled departure time is 12:30 pm.

Heathrow (LHR), London, United Kingdom 18:00 ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE
Heathrow (LHR), London, United Kingdom 05:30 PLANE IS LATE (IN HOURS MINUTES)
Heathrow (LHR), London, United Kingdom - DELAY NON-SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.

http://wftc3.e-travel.com/PL/xthai5/...GHT_NUMBER=911

wheresmybagba

While this is all very interesting I'm not getting the link with this thread?

tg911

^Link works okay for me.Can do a check on the Thai web site.
Finally departed 21:15 pm,reason aircraft defects just wondering did the crew report defect or was it checked and found by a 3rd party on the ground.
Either way at least it was reported and fixed before departure.

THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL - TG 911
Operational Flight Information
Airport Hour FLIGHT INFORMATION
Heathrow (LHR), London, United Kingdom 21:15 ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE
Heathrow (LHR), London, United Kingdom 21:30 LEFT THE GATE
Heathrow (LHR), London, United Kingdom 21:54 TOOK OFF
Heathrow (LHR), London, United Kingdom 09:00 PLANE IS LATE (IN HOURS MINUTES)
Heathrow (LHR), London, United Kingdom - DELAY AIRCRAFT DEFECTS
Suvarnabhumi International (BKK), Bangkok, Thailand 14:45 ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL
http://wftc3.e-travel.com/PL/xthai5/...GHT_NUMBER=911

wheresmybagba

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I wasn't referring to the hyperlink.

More that an aircraft going tech is hardly unusual, any any relationship to the subject of this thread is very tenuous!