At such as distinguished summit, being invited to take the podium is a feather in any executive's hat. Imagine the media coverage for all those airline chief executives. Interesting news from other countries is always attractive to reporters.

This explains why Singapore Airlines' chief executive received plenty of attention, especially when he captivated the audience with his airline's vision for the future, its planned new products and the prospects for the airline industry in Asia.

The Malaysian Airlines CEO also took the podium to recall the hardships of reviving the loss-making airline over the past few years, and attention also turned to the chief executive of a Hong Kong-based airline, who spoke about the airline industry's prospects in China.

Where was Thai Airways International (THAI) president Apinan Sumanaseni when his airline's rivals were taking the spotlight?

In the audience was Bangkok Airways vice president for marketing Peter Weisner, but representing THAI at the summit was only the airline's vice president for commercial development and support, Pandit Chanpai.

The wondering about why Apinan was not there intensified when IATA director-general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani lashed out at Thailand for its costly airport service charges. It would have been nice to have had a Thai representative there to mount some kind of defence.

Apinan probably did not mean to stay away from Vancouver. Earlier this month, THAI hosted an exhibition to mark World Environment Day, and it's now preparing to host a summit of the Star Alliance before the end of the month.

His presence has probably been required to ensure that operations at home do not stumble.

Tighter belts

It seems to be a common perception that motorists in countries belonging to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) must enjoy cheap fuel.

But things are not at all like that. At least, not in Iran, which pumps up 4.2 million barrels of oil per day.

Despite its level of crude-oil production, Iran still spends US$5 billion to $8 billion (Bt173 billion to Bt277 billion) per year on petrol imports, because it lacks refineries, reports Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

And like many other countries, it is also searching for ways to reduce fuel consumption. Soon, its petrol prices will be floated and a rationing system applied.

If even an Opec member must think about cutting down on fuel consumption, why shouldn't Thailand also think that way?

achara_d@nationgroup.com