Thai Airways International yesterday came out in Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij's defence, saying he paid for all of his tickets issued for 21 flights from March 31-November 10 and all upgrades followed proper procedures.
Ajcharaporn na Songkhla, THAI director of communications and public relations, said passengers belonging to Gold Royal Orchid Plus could upgrade their seats using two basic options.
All gold members can ask for complimentary gold upgrade when they earn 50,000 mileage points within one year and 80,000 points within two years of enrolment, she said.
Passengers also get a one-time gold upgrade certificate in case business class is full.
According to a statement, the airline offers other means of upgrading at the check-in counter if economy and business classes are overbooked. THAI can ask some passengers to move to higher-class seating sections up front, like all other airlines.
Korn and his family are regular customers and they deserve to get that service, as they are recognised customers.
According to the airline, upgrades can be offered to a county's leader, top official or politician as well as a nation's delegate who are regular customers travelling with the airline and paying full fare.
And there is nothing to order the airline to do so.
Of this family, Korn and his wife carry gold cards and have accrued many mileage points, so they could get the service. Also, no overweight luggage was found.
