Thai Airways International may show Bt5.4 billion loss in the second quarter, as the number of tourists dropped following the political turmoil, its president Piyasvasti Amranand told leaders of over 700 airlines at the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s annual meeting in Berlin.

Original article:
THAI may show Bt5.4 bn loss in Q2

Flying with Thai Airways is about to become easier.Within three months, passengers will be able to reserve and buy tickets and instantly complete all the processes required for travel by mobile phone, thanks to the launch of the national carriers new e-commerce policy.

The director of Thai Airways Internationals E-Commerce Department, Somchai Suppakitjareon, said the airlines passengers would be able to use mobile phones not only to access flight information, flight schedules and complete check-in, but also book and pay for air tickets instantly.

The move is part of an e-commerce policy that aims to increase the airlines revenue from e-commerce channels from last years 6 per cent to 15 per cent of total revenue this year. Its total revenue is about Bt130 billion.

via Thai Airways

Although private investment has joined the rebound in Thai economy, the outlook remains weak relative to other demand

Key risks to the outlook are (i) political uncertainty and (ii) the timing of the withdrawal of fiscal and monetary stimulus. Increased political tensions may have a long-lasting impact on investment, and withdrawal of stimulus (in Thailand and the advanced economies) must be precisely timed to avoid macroeconomic imbalances (including new asset bubbles) while also ensuring that the recovery is on a sufficiently solid footing.

Long-term growth will require improving productivity and greater focus on distributional issues. Imbalances present before the crisis remain, but the crisis has increased the urgency of reforms to improve productivity, enhance competitiveness, and promote more equitable growth. Openness to trade and investment have been – and will continue to be – essential to Thailand’s long-term growth. However, a return to high growth will require boosting domestic consumption and developing additional sources of external demand.