Green flag for Thai airlines

BANGKOK, 16 October 2017” Thailand’s aviation industry heaved a sigh or relief, earlier this month, when the International Civil Aviation Organisation removed its red flag on the country’s safety and compliance standards.

A green flag opens the way for Thai airlines to once more add international services to countries that had earlier capped flight levels.

In truth, the country’s airlines were not strictly at fault. They had maintained high safety standards independently of government checks. The problem was government oversight, which proved to be shoddy. Read more

ICAO removes red flag

BANGKOK, 10 October 2017: The UN’s aviation agency has removed a safety “red flag” against Thailand civil aviation, the kingdom’s junta leader said Monday, in a major boost to the country’s stuttering airlines.

A 2015 audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of Thailand’s aviation compliance and management of regulations that govern airlines identified “significant safety concerns” prompting the downgrade.

That triggered restrictions on Thai carriers launching new international routes, cramping expansion plans for a sector that has in recent years laboured under debts and management woes. Read more

Thailand promises crime crackdown

BANGKOK, 3 October 2017: Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, has ordered a crackdown at major tourist destinations in the country targeting foreign ‘Mafia like’ gangs, scammers and illegal immigrants.

Defence Ministry’s spokesman Maj-Gen Kongcheep Tantrawanich confirmed to the Thai PBS TV news channel that the deputy prime minister had ordered all security branches to crackdown on illegals residing in tourist destinations such as Pattaya and Phuket.

Thai PBS said the crackdown would focus on so-called “dark influential figures” linked to prostitution, money laundering, drug and human trafficking. Foreigners who are illegally working and resident in the country have been a target for at least two years with offenders often deported. Read more

Rumblings aside Bail is safe

DENPARSAR, 3 October 2017: Bali’s travel industry is making an impassioned plea for tourists to visit the island saying safety measures are in place in the event Mount Agung blows.

Rising from the plains on the eastern side of the island,  the volcano is a good 76 km away from popular beaches and the  island’s airport. Thousands of villagers have been evacuated to safety from around the mountain’s slopes within a radius of 9 km.

ASITA Bali Chapter, which operates under the auspices of Bali Tourism Board (BTB), issued a statement, Monday,  reassuring visitors that that the government and local communities are displaying a high level of vigilance and commitment to ensure visitors are safe. Read more

London revokes Uber licence

LONDON, 26 September 2017: The head of Uber apologised, Monday, for “mistakes” made by the US ride-sharing app after London authorities refused to renew its licence, but still vowed to appeal the decision.

“While Uber had revolutionised the way people move in cities around the world, it’s equally true that we’ve got things wrong along the way,” Uber chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi, wrote in an open letter.

“On behalf of everyone at Uber globally, I’d like to apologise for the mistakes we’ve made.” Read more

Phuket’s safety needs review

PHUKET, 15 August 2017: Phuket hoteliers have enough on their mind worrying about the massive increase in new hotels rooms just over the horizon, but there is more to fret about if you have a hotel on Patong Bay.

Hoteliers fear Chinese tour operators might take their tour groups to other beaches on the island to avoid the risky bus transfers to Patong Bay.

Three serious tour bus accidents occurred over the last six weeks on a hilly road that climbs a forested ridge and then drops down in a series of hairpin bends to the popular resort. Read more

On camera at pub street

SIEM REAP, 27 July 2017: Siem Reap provincial government wants to install more CCTV security cameras along a popular tourist pub street in an effort to tighten safety and security for visitors.

Khmer Times reported the scheme was supported financially by MineBea, a private Japanese company.

The street is packed with tourists in the evening visiting restaurants and pubs, but there has been an increase in petty crime that worries authorities. A study of the street showed at least another 30 cameras were required to cover the area adequately. Read more

Thais charged for negligence

BANGKOK, 14 July 2017: Two Thai men have been charged after an Australian tourist plunged to his death, while parasailing in the tourist island of Phuket, the latest tragedy to highlight the kingdom’s dismal safety record.

People watched in horror on Wednesday as 71-year-old Roger Hussey fell more than 100 feet (30 metres) into shallow waters on Kata beach after the harness attaching him to the parasailing instructor failed.

His wife, Thai national Budsabong Thongsangka, was filming at the time and uploaded the tragic video of his last moments to the internet. Read more

Thailand’s makes aviation progress

BANGKOK, 13 July 2017 (NNT): The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has acknowledged Thailand’s attempts to address red-flag security issues according to Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith,  the National News bureau of Thailand reported earlier this week.

The long-term objective is to develop the country as a major regional aviation hub.

He said an ICAO Asia-Pacific delegation acknowledged a progress report presented by Thai officials that addresses aviation security concerns raised by ICAO red flags. Read more

Flying days end at 65

LUXEMBOURGE, 6 July 2017: A European Union law that forces passenger airline pilots to retire at 65 is valid, the EU’s top court said on Wednesday.

German flight instructor Werner Fries took his case to a German labour court in 2013 after his employer, Lufthansa, ended his contract when he turned 65, in line with EU law.

The German court referred the case to the European Court of Justice, the EU’s highest court, which ruled that the action was legal. Read more

Next Page »