Latest news with #ThaiAirways
Bangkok Post
3 hours ago
- General
- Bangkok Post
An unforgettable flight
When Ruangsak "James" Loychusak saw news of the recent Air India plane crash, he was reminded of a similar incident that took place 27 years ago. Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survivor of the June's plane crash, was seated in 11A. In 1998, Ruangsak was also seated in 11A when Thai Airways Flight 261, an Airbus A310-300 en route from Bangkok to Surat Thani, crashed leaving 101 people dead and 45 others injured. Although the two incidents took place 27 years apart, the fact that both survivors had the same seat sparked discussion on it being miraculous and how the fatal incident left emotional scars and trauma. "I lived with an intense fear of heights, fear of flying and fears triggered by even the smallest sounds that reminded me of that day. The memories echoed in my ears, lingered in my mind and became part of my daily life. As someone in the public eye, I could never escape talking about it. And each time I told the story, I had to relive it again and again. It was as if the trauma never truly ended," Ruangsak said. Ruangsak explained how the event was traumatic, both physically and emotionally. "Some passengers lost limbs, some lost their lives and those who survived, like myself, were left with wounds that ran deeper than what was visible." Physically, Ruangsak spent two full years in recovery dealing with broken bones, bleeding in the brain and damage to his lungs. "For many years, I deliberately avoided contact with anyone connected to the 1998 plane crash. Among the 41 survivors, I chose not to meet, talk or even learn about their lives because every time I did, the fear and trauma would return all over again," the singer recalled. Ruangsak acknowledged the setbacks such tragic events cause. For nearly three decades, he could not escape the incident. "The media -- newspapers, television, radio, and now online platforms -- have always wanted to hear my story. And each time I agree to an interview, I must force myself to revisit that day. I must recall every detail. And in doing so, I must endure that pain again. It never truly goes away," Ruangsak said. Personal Life Ruangsak's family was surprised by what happened and also heartbroken. Even though nearly 30 years have passed, James believes that incident still lingers in their hearts. He said: "It was, and still is, a nightmare -- not just for me, but for everyone close to me." Ruangsak expressed how "sometimes life presents us with patterns that seem meaningful, but not everything needs to be explained beyond what it is". Professional Career Before the plane crash, Ruangsak was living what many would call the golden era of his life. His music career had reached its peak -- he was well-known across the country and fans eagerly packed out concert halls to see him perform. He admits that he "achieved a level of success that every artist dreams of". So when the accident happened, he received an overwhelming amount of support and love from people all over Thailand. His name was on the front pages of newspapers almost daily. Ruangsak was constantly in the spotlight -- every channel, every day, for weeks and even months. Fans wrote letters, sent encouragement and prayed for Ruangsak's speedy recovery. That outpouring of support became Ruangsak's reason to fight. He knew he had to recover -- not just for himself but for the people who believed in him. He went through a full year of treatment and rehabilitation. Eventually, he was able to return to the stage and sing again. "It wasn't easy. There were moments of pain, sorrow and doubt. But I knew in my heart that I still had a role to play as a singer and as someone who brings joy through music. And that belief, fuelled by the love of my fans, helped me move forward." Life Beyond The Tragic Plane Crash The plane crash completely changed Ruangsak's perspective on life and perhaps that's the one reason he continues to agree to interviews even though every conversation forces him to revisit a memory he would rather leave behind. "I won't lie. It's painful to go back there. But what I gained from that experience is something I believe is worth sharing because not everyone gets the kind of wake-up call I did." Ruangsak learned that life should not be taken for granted. The only certainty in life is uncertainty itself. He counsels and wishes for people to follow their dreams, without waiting for the right opportunity because you never know if the next minute, the next hour, or even the next day is still promised to you. "If my story can remind someone -- anyone -- not to delay living fully, then perhaps reliving the pain in these interviews is worth it." Miracle, Healing And Gratitude Ruangsak was surprised by the coincidence with the Air India crash but he does not believe it meant that this particular seat is the safest or the luckiest. To him it's just a statistical anomaly -- an outcome of nature and nothing more. When a plane crash occurs, chances of survival are generally very low. Ruangsak said that a specific seat does not hold an advantage or disadvantage. He elucidated that the cause and nature of each crash are unique. No two incidents are ever the same. Ruangsak acknowledged some people see it through a spiritual lens or hold personal beliefs about fate, destiny or divine protection. Message To The Aviation Industry Ruangsak believes the airline industry across all carriers prioritises safety at the highest level, including Thai Airways. Despite what happened, Ruangsak still has complete confidence in Thai Airways as one of the world's safest airlines. What occurred that day was a tragic and unforeseen incident. It was an outlier compared to the sheer volume of successful flights that take place every day. Today, Ruangsak continues to travel by air with confidence on any airline. He follows every in-flight rule and safety instruction strictly. He knows those guidelines are there for passenger's protection and he respects the care that airlines take for their passengers. "Whenever I'm on a plane, I stay mindful. I pay attention to where the safety equipment is, where the emergency exits are and how the evacuation process works just in case the unexpected ever happens again." Lesson Learned Ruangsak wants to encourage everyone to live with mindfulness as when we are present in the moment, we give ourself the best chance to overcome any hardship that life presents. Mindfulness doesn't eliminate problems, but it helps us face people with clarity and calm, which often leads to better outcomes. And when accidents do happen -- whether on land, sea or in the air -- being mindful in those moments can make a crucial difference. It can increase your chances of survival and help you respond more effectively. "For those who travel by plane, I sincerely urge you to follow all aviation safety rules carefully. These regulations exist to protect you. Your attention to them could save your life," he concluded.
BusinessToday
7 days ago
- Business
- BusinessToday
Thai Airways Resumes Trading In August After Pandemic Triggered Bankruptcy
Thai flag carrier Thai Airways International will resume trading in August, the stock exchange said on Wednesday, marking the end of a long restructuring process triggered by the pandemic. In 2020, the national carrier went into bankruptcy-protected restructuring, and drew up plans to restructure debts worth 400 billion baht ($11.17 billion). As part of those plans, it reduced its workforce by half and trimmed its also appointed Piyasvasti Amranand, the airline's president from 2009 to 2012 to its restructuring committee, along with a number of veteran bankers. Thai Airways had already been making losses since 2012 as a result of growing competition from budget carriers. As part of the restructuring programme, the government reduced its stake, meaning that the carrier lost its state-owned enterprise status. 'The SET approves the removal of THAI securities from the possible delisting list, the lifting of its suspension and non-compliance designations,' the Stock Exchange of Thailand said in a statement. Reuters Related
CNA
7 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Thai Airways to resume trading on August 4
BANGKOK :Thai flag carrier Thai Airways International will resume trading in August, the stock exchange said on Wednesday, marking the end of a long restructuring process triggered by the pandemic. In 2020, the national carrier went into bankruptcy-protected restructuring, and drew up plans to restructure debts worth 400 billion baht ($11.17 billion). As part of those plans, it reduced its workforce by half and trimmed its fleet. It also appointed Piyasvasti Amranand, the airline's president from 2009 to 2012 to its restructuring committee, along with a number of veteran bankers. Thai Airways had already been making losses since 2012 as a result of growing competition from budget carriers. As part of the restructuring programme, the government reduced its stake, meaning that the carrier lost its state-owned enterprise status. "The SET approves the removal of THAI securities from the possible delisting list, the lifting of its suspension and non-compliance designations," the Stock Exchange of Thailand said in a statement. Thai Airways has been making operational profits since 2023 and in June it exited the court-guided restructuring programme. Last year, the carrier ordered 45 Boeing 787-9 wide-body jets with an option for 35 more.
The Star
20-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Thai Airways cancels Hong Kong, Guangzhou flights as Typhoon Wipha disrupts travel
BANGKOK: Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has announced the cancellation of several flights to and from Hong Kong and Guangzhou on July 20–21, 2025, due to the impact of Typhoon Wipha. The airline stated that the tropical storm is moving into the upper South China Sea and may affect flights on routes to and from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China during this period. Affected Thai Airways flights include: Bangkok – Hong Kong: TG600/ TG628/ TG638/ TG602 Hong Kong – Bangkok: TG601/ TG629/ TG639/ TG603 Bangkok – Guangzhou: TG668 Guangzhou – Bangkok: TG669 Passengers with scheduled travel on these routes are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport. The cancellations come as Hong Kong issued its highest storm warning on Sunday, hoisting Signal No. 10 as Typhoon Wipha battered the territory with winds exceeding 167 km/h (103 mph). The Hong Kong Observatory reported that the storm's centre was expected to pass about 50 km south of the city, with hurricane-force winds affecting southern areas. As of Sunday, over 90% of inbound and outbound flights at Hong Kong International Airport were cancelled, and the remaining operations faced delays of at least 4–5 hours. Flag carrier Cathay Pacific also suspended all flights between 5 am and 6 pm, offering free rebooking for affected passengers. Most public transport services, including ferries, were suspended amid severe weather conditions and high sea swells. - The Nation/ANN
Reuters
14-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Thai Airways could firm up Boeing order as part of tariff talks, CEO says
SINGAPORE, July 9 (Reuters) - Thai Airways International ( opens new tab could exercise an existing option to buy more planes from U.S. planemaker Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab as part of Thailand's tariff negotiations with the United States, CEO Chai Eamsiri told a Reuters NEXT Asia summit on Wednesday. The flag carrier in February last year said it had ordered 45 Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab 787-9 wide-body jets with options for a further 35. Thailand has submitted a new trade proposal to the United States in a bid to avoid steep tariff hikes on its own products. Thai Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said on Sunday the country could purchase more Boeing aircraft as part of its trade talks with Washington, in an interview with Bloomberg News. Eamsiri confirmed the finance minister was referring to Thai Airways' option to buy 35 more 787s. In June, Thai Airways exited its debt restructuring programme and said it expects to resume trading its shares on the stock market by early August. Thailand's national airline began a bankruptcy-protected restructuring of debt worth 400 billion baht ($11.17 billion) in 2021, reducing its workforce by half and trimming its fleet. Eamsiri said the airline is operating with around 75% of the seat capacity it had before the pandemic, but its revenue has surpassed pre-COVID levels. "Our efficiency is better than in the past," he told the panel. Eamsiri said the airline has no plans to resume direct flights to the United States, despite the U.S. upgrading Thailand's air safety rating this year to permit direct flights. Eamsiri said the airline's current fleet could not operate such long-distance flights efficiently, and also noted that the U.S. market was a "big risk" in the current context of tariff negotiations. Thai Airways stopped flying to the United States in 2015, the same year as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration downgraded Thailand's air safety rating to "Category 2", preventing Thai airlines from launching or expanding services to the United States. To view the live broadcast of the World Stage go to the Reuters LIVE page:
