Thai Airways

I would begin narrating my experience from the time when I checked in for the Bangkok to Mumbai on 29th Apr 2008 at 18:45 (TG 317).

I arrived at the airport 2 1/2 hour before departure I was informed that the flight was delayed till 00:15 (5 1/2 Hours Delay). I requested the ground staff to put me on the Indian airlines flight departing an hour later as I only had hand baggage and the airline did have room for passengers on it, this they were not able to do saying there wasn�t enough time.

Hence, I checked in for the Thai Flight and asked them for what their policy for delayed flight is. To which they informed me, that they would give me 300 bath ($10) meal voucher. This I thought was being very unreasonable for such a long period of delay and I found out that as per Thai Law they were supposed to give compensation of 1200 baht for more than three hour delay on domestic flights and understood that for international it would at least be the same or more. When informed if Mrs. Titirat B the check in supervisor about this she said that their policy is to give a hotel room only if there is a 6+ hour delay and that she never hear about this law. Now I started to put two and two together, and realized that they only announced a delay of 5 �½ hours to avoid giving out the room and I was pretty sure that the flight would leave much later.

After wasting my time at the airport for several hours, I showed up at the gate on time for boarding at 23:35. But as I had suspected they didn�t start boarding yet, 00:15 not movement whatsoever, 00:30 nothing, finally they did start boarding at 01:00 and departed at 01:30 clearly after the 6 hour norm as per their policy.

This to me is clearly unethical behavior on part of the airline. It is most definitely their responsibility to take care of their passenger especially in situations like this. Not only they misinformed me and other passengers on the flight they also most probably broke the law.

I am thoroughly disappointed with the airline and would rather not fly with them anymore. There are several other airlines who do value their customers. I just hope that my message gets across to some on in the airline and helps them realize their mistakes.

I like to make a big compliant about one of your staff, ”Thai man” that work in business class that grab me by the arm really hard and keep trying pull me out of toilet, is this the way your staff treat a customer? and would not let me go to the toilet in business class as I know I was in the wrong for using business class toilet but I need toilet bad, but the reason why I use this toilet is, I could not us other toilet as the food cart was blocking the isle….
The point is him should have not grab me hard and pull me out, get it?
I hope you can deal with this matter and deal with this Thai man worker as if not then I shall post my story on internet about Thai airways and it bad staff……

Vegetarians across the globe please be aware of facts when you fly Thai Airways.

Snacks tainted with Shrimp.( which Thai airways calls it suitable for vegetarian)

Recently I found Thai airways distributed common snacks which is given along with drinks contained shrimps. Please note that among 25 airlines I have flown this is first time ever in my life I have come across a product which is not suitable for vegetarians which is given along with drinks, specially when Thai flight attendants confirmed this to be suitable for vegetarians.

Please note that Thai vegetarian food always contain shrimp, oyster sauce, fish sauce which is even acceptable to bud hist monks who live in temples.

When I raised issue with Thai airways I got reply which was an offer for award of 10000 Royal Orchid mileage points and If I accept this all my claims and their liability will cease on this subject. They infect indirectly asked me to shut my mouth with reward points. This airline did not feel ashamed to even mock at vegetarians, as their staff say vegetarians are always a problem, and we really do not understand why vegetarians have to be so adamant asking for special meals. The natural choice of born vegetarians are considered to be special diet for these lost freaks.

A senior crew however apologized and said even we report the issue they take it lightly and most of vegetarian meals also contain fish sauce/oyster sauce and shrimps which comes along with any kind of spices. She told me there are many complaints we have to face from passengers but seniors at Thai airlines are least concerned.

Vegetarians again- grow up and raise your voice. Airlines have no rights to ridicule vegetarianism as well as make mockery of our sentiments specially when they are surviving with our business equally.
Please send your protest to Thai airways if you happen to fly with them.
Along with Thai airways I request all the airlines who call vegetarian food as special meal whereas for born vegetarians it is natural and common choice. There is nothing special about it , and there is no reason to treat people indifferently. Vegetarian choice has to be an open choice in all airlines. As couple of Airlines like SQ, AI, Jet Airways, Srilankan and some more vegetarian friendly companies are doing.

1)I have got a response from Thai airways who have accepted the mistake and offered my 10000 mileage points as reward which usually makes no sense as they get expired or deleted automatically if not used. However I am not looking for any compensation package from Thai airways unless they really mean corrective action.

2) Thai airways assigned the reason on their own, as if I am being vegetarian for religious reasons or age factor in one or their reply. I told them it is purely ethical reason and there is nothing to do with faith or religion. But customer service is not willing to accept. However their next reply asked again that how I would like them to solve this issue again labeling as religious .(they hardly read my complaints properly) Fact is that Thai airways do not want to take any corrective measures and they will continue to do same irresponsible and willful mistakes, as I was told by senior crew member on board that there won't be any solution. Most of complaints go to trash and their management hardly wants to bring in any change. There are many complaints and least regards are given to that.

All of their reply have (two )been total careless and offs hooted except that they apologized and offered me 10000 points for deficiency in service calling it as my religious reasons on their own.

3) I don't foresee any action or corrective measures from Thai airways. The best way is to now sue them.

3) I have also wrote to snack company www.cirrus.co.th stating that their snacks are tainted with animal products , but they have not responded yet.