Thai Airways to merge with Thai Smile to ‘reduce losses’ | Thailand News Today
This week, Thailand has seen a variety of news stories, from scammers nabbing 16 million baht from a Chon Buri businessman to an electrical short circuit closing the runway at Krabi Airport. Police in Rayong also destroyed thousands of guns, while Thai Airways announced plans to merge with Thai Smile to ‘reduce losses’. Finally, Netflix cut subscription fees in over 30 countries, including Thailand, in an effort to outmanoeuvre its rivals.
The scammers tricked 40 year old Kh. Watchara into installing an app, claiming it was a new policy from the Internal Trade Department. In the 10 minutes that followed, nine messages of money being withdrawn from his business account were sent, followed by the emptying of over 150,000 baht from his personal accounts. Call centre scams have become increasingly common in Thailand in recent years, with fraudsters impersonating government officials or representatives from financial institutions and tricking victims into revealing their personal and financial information, or transferring money to the scammers’ accounts.
Meanwhile, passengers were left stranded at Krabi International Airport after the runway was closed due to an electrical short circuit, causing disruption to several flights. Electricity on the runway was shut off for two hours while the problem was investigated and repaired.
In Rayong, thousands of guns seized by police were destroyed in a ceremony at a Millcon Steel Company facility. Prime Minister Prayut Chan–o–cha has called for sweeping enforcement of firearm control and increased prevention of illegal gun possession in Thailand. Various types of guns were destroyed during the event, including pistols, revolvers, hunting rifles, shotguns, homemade guns and military–grade assault rifles.
Thai Airways is to merge with Thai Smile to ‘reduce losses’. The plan is expected to be approved by the end of this year and involves uniting all subsidiaries into a single operation to reduce fixed costs and operating expenses.
Finally, streaming giant Netflix has cut subscription prices by up to 60% in over 30 countries, including Thailand. The move to cut prices could boost growth, as the company shifts its focus to strengthening its user base. The reduced rates are applicable to existing users as well as new subscribers.
This week has seen a range of news stories in Thailand, from scammers nabbing 16 million baht from a Chon Buri businessman to police in Rayong destroying thousands of guns. Thai Airways has also announced plans to merge with Thai Smile to ‘reduce losses’, while Netflix has cut subscription fees in an effort to outmanoeuvre its rivals.
