Thai pilot shortage creates legal headaches

AVIATION

Thai pilot shortage creates legal headaches

Published: 17 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Business

An outdated and impractical rule requiring Thai-based carriers and air service providers to have the bulk, if not all, of their cockpit staff made up of Thai nationals is driving airlines up the wall.

Thai pilots such as Capt Anusak Palawasu (left) and co-pilot Chananporn Rosjan, Miss Thailand Universe 2005, in a Thai AirAsia A320 cockpit, are becoming harder to find.

Carriers like Orient Thai Airlines have been penalised by the Civil Aviation Department ordinance, which carries a maximum fine of 500,000 baht for each offence and can lead to route applications "not being considered".

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Eggmeng
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Discussion 2 : 17 Jan 2013 at 07.492
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It will be interesting to see what the repercussions of the AEC in 2015 will be in this and many industries. Will not just pilots, but also airline ground staff and flight attendants from other ASEAN countries be allowed to work in these positions in Thailand?
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barryw
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Discussion 1 : 17 Jan 2013 at 06.281
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So many jobs in Thailand are closed to foreigners. But is that a bad thing? In the West millions are out of work after immigrants have been allowed to flood in and take work from locals. In Thailand there is a labour shortage. So who has the right policy?
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Thai pilot shortage creates legal headaches | Bangkok Post: business