rkkwan

Hahaha... Someone on another forum noticed at first, and I checked.

Guess what? Last LAX-BKK non-stop on the 345 seems to end on 3/27. Starting 3/29, it's a 777 doing LAX-KIX-BKK.

The saga continues.

Mango7

I'll stick with ANA. Screw Thai Airways. They've got idiots running that airline.

Guenmai

They still owe me around $1900. for the cancellation of my ticket which I cancelled the day after Thanksgiving. Happy Travels!

filmwill

Our experience with them was pretty poor when the airport fiasco was happening in December.

Luckily, we were able to fly to Bangkok, but Thai Air certainly made things a lot more complicated than they needed to be.

At any given point during that whole week, the folks I spoke with in the LA office had absolutely no clue what was happening. I got more accurate info from the news (and even from United.) It really felt like the blind leading the blind there.

The actual service to and from Bangkok (in business class) was extremely disappointing. Flight attendants couldn't have cared less about us--and the food was pretty crappy. I've had much better service domestically in US first class, which really says a lot. Seats were comfy and lovely, but expected so much more after all I had heard about Thai Air--maybe that is all just a thing of the past now though?

rhkkmk

fly coach, be uncomfortable, bring your own food and be able to go more often....

WillJame

Because their schedule change from Osaka to Bangkok will mean I miss my connection with a Bangkok Airways flight, I have to fly a day earlier than expected. I did ask Thai Airways to provide me with vouchers for food and accommodation because of the 18+ hours layover that results. Their reply--clearly in the "Lost Its Mind" category--was that since my flight was booked through the Air Canada rewards program, then Air Canada should compensate me!
After I pointed out that Thai Airways changed the flight, not Air Canada, I was quoted a clause that states: "Carrier may without notice substitute alternate carriers or aircraft, and may alter or omit stopping places shown on the ticket in case of necessity. Schedules are subject to change without notice. Carrier assumes no responsibility for making connections."
In my last email to Thai Air I pointed out that that clause gave them the option of putting me on a six-month multi-stop boat trip from Japan to Thailand. After all this--I'm summarizing a lengthy, mostly unedifying, exchange here--I suppose that's what I should expect when we show up at KIX at the end of the month--or else a flight attendant "accidentally" spilling a tray of drinks on me en route.

rkkwan

WillJame - In your situation, you really cannot expect any airline to provide you with anything. Thai or whatever airline can change their schedule or routing. All you can ask for is change of date (which you have done) or a refund of your AC miles.

Definitely not a Thai-specific issue.

dogster

Filmwill: I fly Thai business class in an out of Australia to BKK all the time. I'd echo your experience. It sure ain't Singapore Air - but it's half the price. The staff couldn't give the proverbial rat's arse. I can hear them in the galley muttering 'Shuddup and go to sleep!' to the punters. I like to think of it as a bus with lie-down seats - and I'm never disappointed.

However, the check in etc at BKK airport going OUT of Thailand is super easy. I like that bit a lot.

MichaelBKK

As Rkkwan says, the airline doesn't owe you anything, unless the scheduled departure is delayed on the day. I endured similar hassles when they changed my direct flight to a one-stop, and then back again. Cost me around $100 to change my connecting United flights in the US (fortunately, I've learned to only change the first connecting flight through the phone, then change the rest in the Red Carpet lounge, where they often don't charge).

Mango7

Haha, isn't this good timing. Stupid Thai Airways has just changed my flight so that it arrives into Phuket at MIDNIGHT from Bkk. They must be running out of planes. I envision the TA executives running around in circles like the Keystone Cops behind closed doors. What a joke.

WillJame

Rkkwan & MichaelBKK: Sure, point taken, I hear you--and I wasn't litigious or demanding. My issue wasn't that they refused compensation, and I didn't mean it to come across that way here. I just stated my case and made my request without expecting much. It was their attitude that galled me, and if they hadn't come on in such a high-handed and officious way as to suggest that I should seek compensation from Air Canada rather than them, I'd have swallowed the whole thing more easily. They could have avoided turning an upset customer into an angry customer.

MichaelBKK

While Thais have a reputation for being polite, it's a rote form of politeness. They generally aren't socialized to consider another person's feelings or put themselves in the other person's place when dealing with them. When removed from having to deal with you face-to-face they can be down right rude, at least from a western perspective.

This is what can make them so bad at dealing with problems. Their first instinct is to just get rid of you ("talk to Air Canada&quot. Then, failing that, become as officious as possible.

WillJame

Actually my exchange of emails with Thai Airways involved a Japanese employee in their Osaka office, though I had contacted customer service in Bangkok. And, if anything, Japanese people have an even higher reputation from being polite than Thais do. Maybe it's globalization--ethnic characteristics get obliterated as bureaucracy and standardization (and email usage!) spread.