Transport
Thai Airways cuts another 4,250 staff, offering them early retirement
4,250 Thai Airways employees have been pushed into an early retirement after failing a screening process for remaining employees. The process was a necessary result of the national airlines’ dire financial situation and current debt restructuring program. Remaining staff are being forced into new, leaner contacts.
The 13,554 remaining Thai Airways staff went through the screening program. 9,304 passed, according to the Bangkok Post. The 4,250 staff who failed will be able to receive early retirement benefits or apply for the next round of staff screening. Employees who passed the screening will continue to work for the legacy airline will sign contracts that start on May 1. Many of the ‘cushy’ contractual staff benefits are now missing from the new contracts, and more in line with modern aviation businesses.
People who missed out on the first round of screenings have been informed that they can apply for the second round, starting next Monday. The results are being announced on April 28. Otherwise they have until the end of today to apply for the early retirement benefits. They won’t be replaced as Thai Airways continues to find the best way to reduce its past inflated staff numbers.
The retirement packages are being paid in 4 instalments over 12 months. The first payment will be made in June this year.
Meanwhile union representatives are disputing the terms of the new contracts for Thai Airways staff. The labour union claims the changes have removed, or diluted, many former staff entitlements and welfare benefits. The union called on Thailand’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare to review the changes and check if they align with the debt-restructuring plan submitted to the Central Bankruptcy Court.
Thai Airways, with its fleet mostly grounded since April last year, is still in the midst of a lengthy bankruptcy proceedings. Most of its creditors are overseas aircraft leasing companies. There’s also tens of thousands of ticket holders who are demanding refunds for flights that were cancelled as a result of the groundings in 2020.
The Thai government cut Thai Airways free after bailing them out of debt every year over the decade before 2020 by selling their controlling stake in the airline.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
Want more from the Thaiger family?
📱 Download our app on Android or iOS for instant updates on your mobile
📧 Subscribe to our daily email newsletter
👍 Like/Follow us on Facebook
🔔 Subscribe to or Join our YouTube channel for daily video updates
An international vaccine passport, certifying Covid-19 immunisation, will be an official travel document for those travelling overseas, according to an order by the Public Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department.
A copy of the vaccine passport along with an order outlining the issuing process, both approved by the department’s director general Opas Karnkawinpong, were published in the Royal Gazette, making it official.
Vaccines must be registered in Thailand or certified by the World Health Organisation, according to the order. Authorised disease control officials must sign the passport to validate the vaccination.
Want more from the Thaiger family?
📱 Download our app on Android or iOS for instant updates on your mobile
📧 Subscribe to our daily email newsletter
👍 Like/Follow us on Facebook
🔔 Subscribe to or Join our YouTube channel for daily video updates
Quarantine for those entering Thailand from overseas will now go back to the original 14 day period (which ends up being 15 to 16 days). The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced the quarantine extension this afternoon, saying those who obtained their Certificate of Entry prior to May 1, and arrive in Thailand before May 6, will still be able to quarantine under the shortened 10 day quarantine, or just 7 days if they are vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Even though the vast majority of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand are local transmissions rather than from international arrivals, the mutated strains of the virus reported in other countries still pose a risk, according to deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Natapanu Nopakun, who gives the CCSA report in English.
“The variant strains in Asia and other countries still pose a risk.”
Those who stay at Alternative State Quarantine facilities will now need to stay in their rooms and cannot go to other areas of the hotel, as they had been allowed to in the past. Travellers will also undergo 3 Covid-19 tests during their stay.
“These measures are meant to reduce the risk of local transmission of the new variants.”
Earlier this month, when most of the cases were concentrated in Bangkok, primarily in the Thong Lor nightlife district, Thai health officials said the B117 variant of Covid-19 was linked to some of the clusters. The mutated strain is more contagious than the original.
All arrivals who hold a Certificate of Entry issued on or after May 1 are required to undergo the 14 day quarantine.
Want more from the Thaiger family?
📱 Download our app on Android or iOS for instant updates on your mobile
📧 Subscribe to our daily email newsletter
👍 Like/Follow us on Facebook
🔔 Subscribe to or Join our YouTube channel for daily video updates
Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Restrictions tighten nationwide, Bangkok and 5 other provinces now “dark red” zones
Disease control restrictions are tightening nationwide. Bangkok and 5 other provinces with a high number of Covid-19 infections are now classified as “dark red” zones under the highest control to combat the spread of the coronavirus, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.
Under the new zoning measures, the dark red provinces include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan. Those provinces have reported more than 100 Covid-19 cases per day. Regulations in those areas include:
- Events or gatherings of more than 20 people are prohibited.
- Dine-in services at restaurants and cafes are prohibited, but takeaway services until 9pm are allowed.
- Stadiums, gyms, fitness centres are closed except for sports facilities that are in open areas. Those facilities must close by 9pm.
- Shopping centres can stay open until 9pm. Arcades and entertainment activities must close until the Covid-19 situation improves.
45 provinces are classified as “red” zones,” or maximum control areas. Regulations in those areas include:
- Events and gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited.
- Restaurants can offer dine-in services until 9pm and takeaway services are allowed until 11pm. Alcohol sales are prohibited.
- Shopping malls can stay open until 11pm.
26 provinces are classified as “orange” zone, or controlled areas. Regulations in those areas include:
- Restaurants can offer dine-in services until 11pm. Alcohol sales are prohibited.
- Shopping malls can stay open until 11pm.
Alcohol is not allowed to be sold at restaurants nationwide. There is now a nationwide order requiring face masks to be worn in public places. Most provinces have already set local orders requiring masks to be worn.
The new zoning goes into effect at midnight Saturday.
Want more from the Thaiger family?
📱 Download our app on Android or iOS for instant updates on your mobile
📧 Subscribe to our daily email newsletter
👍 Like/Follow us on Facebook
🔔 Subscribe to or Join our YouTube channel for daily video updates
Taxi driver relieves stress by shooting slingshot at cars and shops
Thailand to issue international vaccine passport for travellers
Quarantine period for international arrivals is now back to 14 days
UPDATE: Covid-19 around the world
Restrictions tighten nationwide, Bangkok and 5 other provinces now “dark red” zones
YouTubers in Bali may be kicked out of Indonesia after face mask prank
Thailand joins other Southeast Asian countries with hospital bed shortages amidst Covid crisis
Historical sites in Thailand closed until May 9 for Covid-19
UPDATE: New provincial colour-coding announced
Covid UPDATE: 1,871 new infections and 10 deaths; provincial totals
Thailand’s manufacturing production highest in 23 months
Phuket to close land border from 11pm to 5am each day, essential travel only
Officers seized 31 million baht in cash and assets in 20 drug trafficking raids
All foreigners eligible for Covid-19 vaccine under Thailand’s vaccination plan
Opium and Heroin seized at Chiang Mai checkpoint
‘One Night In Bangkok’, an unlikely hit about a bygone era in Thailand
Phuket officials stick to their dual-pricing “covid test” guns
6 cats up for auction after owners in drug raid, proceeds go to Narcotics Control Fund
All foreigners eligible for Covid-19 vaccine under Thailand’s vaccination plan
Nuns arrested for allegedly scamming hundreds out of a total of 10 million baht
India’s appeal to foreign aid has been granted with multiple nations sending help
Health Ministry to investigate death of woman following Sinovac jab
Thai chef pleads for justice after child kills her cat in New York park
Search continues for missing Indonesian submarine with 53 crew on board
500,000 Sinovac doses arrive in Thailand
Covid-19 task force to resume central role in handling of crisis
Covid UPDATE: Sunday 2,438 new infections announced, provincial totals
Thai PM gives Covid curfew powers to individual provinces
Man arrested for allegedly stealing from foreign men he met through online dating
Covid-19 screening kicks off at Phuket arrival points
Thailand News Today | Thai Airways in rehab, All go for Songkran | March 4
Phuket’s nightlife. Yes, bars and clubs are still open | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Covid passport talks, Thai Airways heads to court | March 2
Phuket Thai food treats you need to try | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Bars, pubs and restaurants ‘sort of’ back to normal | Feb 23
In search of Cat & Dog Cafés in Phuket Town | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Gambling crackdown, Seafood market to reopen, Vlogger challenge | Jan 21
Thailand News Today | Covid testing for visas, Business impact, Vaccine approval | January 19
Thailand News Today | Weekend Bangkok bombs, Thailand fires, Covid update | January 18
Thailand News Today | Stray car on runway, Indonesian quake, 300 baht tourist fee | January 15
Thailand News Today | Governor off respirator, sex-trafficking arrest, condo prices falling | January 14
Thailand News Today | Chinese vaccine, Thailand ‘drug hub’, Covid update | January 13
Thailand News Today | Bangkok may ease restrictions, Phuket bar curfew, Vaccine roll out | January 12
Thailand News Today | Covid latest, Cockfights closed down, Bryde’s Whale beached | January 11
Thailand News Today | Southern floods, Face mask fines, Thai Air Asia woes | January 8
-
Bangkok9 hours ago‘One Night In Bangkok’, an unlikely hit about a bygone era in Thailand
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)6 hours agoAll foreigners eligible for Covid-19 vaccine under Thailand’s vaccination plan
-
Crime1 day agoNuns arrested for allegedly scamming hundreds out of a total of 10 million baht
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days agoIndia’s appeal to foreign aid has been granted with multiple nations sending help
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days agoHealth Ministry to investigate death of woman following Sinovac jab
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days agoCovid-19 task force to resume central role in handling of crisis
-
Bangkok3 days agoMore closures in Bangkok, in force now
-
Expats1 day agoPhuket foreigners called out again over “ignoring” Covid rules
Hungry Farang
Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 1:48 pm
One time in lifetime I bought a ticket at this airline. I will *never ever* fly with thai airways again.
Gosport
Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 3:22 pm
It is better to get early retirement, put money in new business in this time, just wait for recovery, you will surely be a millionaire in 2 years. Thai Air debts has been piling for many years, even good years. The problem won’t be solved in 5 years, even solved, it will go to it in two good years. Selling papaya salad is much better.
Timmytime
Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 3:34 pm
Just shut down this misery once and for all. Thai Airways cant even afford to pay their licence for their IFE onboard and has to pay everything in cash since their credits are ZERO, fuel, cleaning, catering etc. And so far, not one single customer has got a single baht in refund for tickets bought before the pandemic hit. But still Thai has the nerve to campaign for their Orchid memberships credit cards around the country in shopping malls etc. Those who fall for that must be dumber then a rock, a 100% scam. Shut your pathetic operations down Thai and face the reality.
toby andrews
Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 5:06 pm
I do not understand.
Have they been given early retirement with no benefits, not even a golden goodbye sum?
Not even a Thai Airways clock?
Seems to be there is a slow wind down, and when there is very little money left, the executives will take it as severance pay.
The government share in the company will be lost, which is the Thai peoples’ money.
All that will be left will be the realisation that no refunds for tickets will be made, international resolve never to trust anything Thai, and never to pay money up front to Thais.
Wayno
Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 5:37 pm
“The retirement packages are being paid in 4 instalments over 12 months. The first payment will be made in June this year.”
Good luck with that
A Web Revolution
Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 10:42 pm
Employees who passed the screening will continue to work for the legacy airline will sign contracts that start on May 1.
Baroness
Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 10:52 pm
Not only the Thai government and the Thai people will loose everything but many other international institutional investors. Looking at the shareholders list, it’s impressive to see so many “shrewd investment banks, hedge funds and other financial institutions have been caught in these demises.
Many of us may have been shareholders without knowing it through our pension funds.
Mr cynic
Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11:22 pm
I’m surprised anybody is trying to resurrect this company.
Would have thought”never let a good crisis go to waste”school of thought would be used.
Could have just closed up shop with no loss of face and blame everything on the pandemic.
My suspicions are the attempt to raise the phoenix from the ashes may well be for the vultures to pick the remains of the carcass completely clean.
LondonAl
Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 12:58 am
It’s not in the interests of anyone if Thai Air goes under, the carriers that are left will increase their prices big time on all routes, in my case London to Bangkok will have one direct carrier left which is Eva Air.
Ben
Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 7:06 pm
It’s about time this company started acting a bit more responsibly financially. I doubt the Thai government is going to fund future losses indefinitely so it needs to right size to be able to compete. Many of its competitors don’t have cushy benefits and crippling fixed costs so those will have to go otherwise the company should just liquidate now. The labor unions are delusional if they think those cushy benefits will be preserved.
Those being let go are lucky to be getting severance pay. Those remaining are lucky to have jobs.
They need to figure out other cost cutting steps asap as the clock has been ticking.