SantiSuk 3,393 Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 The more that people travel the more they care nothing for service. I present the US domestic airline scene in support of that claim. I don't care either, actually. As long I can book it easily, it's good value, reasonably on time, and not uncomfortable (relative to the length of flight), I don't need seat choice, food and drink or smiley service . The Asian cheapies I have tried get most of these right with AA's booking process being the big exception. I resent the crap out of Fernandes' unethical approach to transparency - no matter how many awards he gets and how rich he becomes, AA is no better than that sleaze bag airline Ryan Air. If Thai Smile are going to bring Nok Air transparency and prices to the Ubon International to Suvarnabpum route then AA would be toast for me were it not for a lingering doubt about a Thai/Nok/TS anti-competitive grab. PS. I like trains too and use them a lot in Europe. One day Thailand will have a service that persuades many of us to kick the airline habit (reasonably quick/on-line seat purchase/choice of services) - but seems unlikely in my lifetime unless Thailand gets invaded by China. Hi-speed trains from Swampy to Korat and a modest upgrade to 'our' line (or to Highway 24 in Surin province) would be a start. Link to post Share on other sites
zzaa09 2,314 Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 PS. I like trains too and use them a lot in Europe. One day Thailand will have a service that persuades many of us to kick the airline habit (reasonably quick/on-line seat purchase/choice of services) - but seems unlikely in my lifetime unless Thailand gets invaded by China. Hi-speed trains from Swampy to Korat and a modest upgrade to 'our' line (or to Highway 24 in Surin province) would be a start. I fancy the grand ideals of exanding the larger rail system throughout Thailand, yet like you, I feel this will never come about in our children's lifetime - less a fashionable hi-speed network that might be the norm in places like China, France, Japan, etc. It's just not in the overall Thai character, less their business acumen, to advance in this manner. It is what it is. Touching upon Surin is a definitive example that plagues locales throughout the country. A perceived market that is not large to support regularly scheduled airline service, so deflects those to Buriram and Korat. Barely surviving the train line [the old Ubon-BKK route] cut-backs. Just recently, the upgrades to principle arterials in and out of Surin have lessened the challange of ground transport. Sure, Surin now enjoys the services of Nakhon Chai coach services and the newly anointed Thai Regional Airlines, but a market like Surin deserves more access to a larger piece of the inter-country "mass-transit" pie. Surin is but an example of communities throughout the country that lack proper and upgraded services that have a supportive market already in place. Link to post Share on other sites
callao 10 Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Jay- SO? Why do you need to fly? No fun in flying .Hassles getting to and from airports. Waiting time .Airports are such fun places to wait in, aren't they? Me ? I love the train. ( overnight), 2nd class sleeper, fun talking ,yes actually communicating with real people . and sharing a few ales with like minded people in the restaurant car.Looking at the scenery .Cannot do that from a plane. Be a brain ,Travel by Train. Be a pain ,travel by plane> I just did both , I took the train Up bkk to Nong Khai and flew back, had issues on both, Try getting to BKK train station from Pattaya in a cab for the evening train, I think everyone in Bangkok was going that way, train is cheaper2250Bt up on the train for 2 1st class no problem loading the compartment up with shopping bags of the GF , on the way back if you are by yourself taxis start at 1200bt and you have to squeeze them to 900bt Nong Khai to Udon arport plus 2100 bt for Thai airways flight adds up I guess it is nice to have the optoin for both Link to post Share on other sites
songhklasid 59 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 For some of us, who dont happen to reside full time in isaan. We have a tendancy to get to mai-noi etc, @ the fastest possible rate bring on direct flights ,save going thruBKK. regards songhklasidsid Link to post Share on other sites
zzaa09 2,314 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 For some of us, who dont happen to reside full time in isaan. We have a tendancy to get to mai-noi etc, @ the fastest possible rate bring on direct flights ,save going thruBKK. regards songhklasidsid Getting point-to-point without detouring through BKK would always be a cause for celebration. Yet, you'll find that's usually not the operational procedure as to an airline hub, in which Swampy/Don Muang serve. The practical and rare cases where the respective carrier will find it more economically feasible to route themselves to a locale without running through a hub is a blessing indeed. Link to post Share on other sites
AsiaWolfie 0 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 to return to the actual topic: Thai Smile will simply entirely REPLACE TG's flights to Ubon as well as other destinations (Udon, Surat, Khonkaen etc.) TG will give up most domestic routes, except for trunk routes such as CNX and HKT Link to post Share on other sites
zzaa09 2,314 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 to return to the actual topic: Thai Smile will simply entirely REPLACE TG's flights to Ubon as well as other destinations (Udon, Surat, Khonkaen etc.) TG will give up most domestic routes, except for trunk routes such as CNX and HKT End of an era for Thai Airways domestic. Link to post Share on other sites
473geo 4,915 Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Your comments are just a tad one sided I would say, Rather stating the obvious I would think considering he says "I have travelled all over Thailand. By train .NEVER by plane and NEVER will. " Can't really see how he can compare planes in Thailand when he has never set foot inside one. Besides afarang, once again you seem to have caught the 'not reading carefully before mouthing off' disease. I simply said that planes are more convenient (especially in regards to the OP JayUk) then buses or trains from Ubon to Bangkok. I don't care if you can walk around and bore to death fellow travellers with tales of your bus rides around Thailand, that is not convenient - it is simply something you obviously enjoy. Please try and explain to me how it can be more convenient. I know you cannot. I think you really need to take your own advice.......try reading my post........not just the first 3 lines.........just to assist here is the last sentence...... "I am pleased flights are available and although I would say a first time visitor might miss out on the train experience by flying, I feel a seasoned traveller should be allowed to make his journey effortless, as flying just about is" Link to post Share on other sites
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