Sakoltee Urges Review of Thai Airways 25-Year Concession

Thairath•Politics•22d ago

Reader Briefing

Sakoltee Pattiyakul questioned the Ministry of Transport regarding Thai Airways' ground service crisis and called for a review of a long-term concession contract.

•Sakoltee Pattiyakul raised a live question in the House of Representatives on October 1, 2026.
•Thai Airways experienced severe ground service failures at Suvarnabhumi Airport starting September 26.
•The crisis involved over 10,000 stranded bags and 40-50 cancelled flights.
•Sakoltee Pattiyakul urged the government to review a 70,000 million baht ground service concession with a 25-year term.

Overview

•Sakoltee Pattiyakul raised the issue during a House of Representatives meeting on October 1, 2026.
•Ground service crises at Suvarnabhumi Airport occurred starting September 26, involving delayed baggage and cancelled flights.
•Thai Airways had over 10,000 stranded bags and approximately 40-50 cancelled flights.
•Sakoltee Pattiyakul stated the problem arose because Thai Airways prioritized serving partner airlines to avoid fines, leaving its own passengers stranded.
•Sakoltee Pattiyakul criticized the CEO of Thai Airways for failing in crisis management and abandoning ground staff to face angry passengers.
•Sakoltee Pattiyakul requested the government review a ground service concession worth over 70,000 million baht approved by the Cabinet on September 9.
•Sakoltee Pattiyakul proposed that the 25-year contract term is too long for a service contract and should be shortened.
•Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport, accepted the suggestions to coordinate urgent improvements.

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Key Quotes

Sakoltee Pattiyakul

"In terms of crisis management and service, you have failed and are a complete failure."

ในแง่การบริหารวิกฤติและการบริการท่านสอบตกและล้มเหลวอย่างสิ้นเชิง

Key Entities

Person

Sakoltee Pattiyakul(สกลธี ภัททิยกุล)

A list MP from the Democrat Party who questioned the Ministry of Transport regarding Thai Airways.

Piphat Ratchakitprakarn(พิพัฒน์ รัชกิจประการ)

The Minister of Transport.

Siripong Angkasakulkiat(สิริพงศ์ อังคสกุลเกียรติ)

The Deputy Minister of Transport who clarified the issues on behalf of the Minister of Transport.

Organization

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)

The political party of Sakoltee Pattiyakul.

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited(บริษัท การบินไทย จำกัด (มหาชน))ℹ️

The national airline facing ground service crises and criticism over its management.

Thai Meteorological Department(กรมอุตุนิยมวิทยา)ℹ️

The agency that provided advance warnings about weather and heavy rain.

Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand(สำนักงานการบินพลเรือนแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The agency that provided advance warnings about weather and heavy rain.

Ministry of Transport(กระทรวงคมนาคม)ℹ️

The ministry responsible for overseeing transport and receiving questions about Thai Airways.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The ministry that holds a major share in Thai Airways.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The government body that approved the ground service concession on September 9.

House of Representatives(สภาผู้แทนราษฎร)ℹ️

The legislative body where the live question regarding Thai Airways was raised.

Place

Suvarnabhumi Airport(ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ)ℹ️

The location where the Thai Airways ground service crisis occurred.