Suphajee presses Thai Airways over seven-day cargo suspension
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun urges Thai Airways to shorten its seven-day air cargo halt, warning of risks to perishable farm exports.
- Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has urged Thai Airways to resolve its cargo service disruption more quickly, stating the seven-day suspension is too long.
- The suspension raises concerns over its potential impact on perishable agricultural exports and other goods vulnerable to spoilage.
- Government departments have been instructed to assess the impact on exports and coordinate with other airlines to find alternative freight options.
- Broader concerns were noted that the disruption could negatively affect passenger travel, the country's image, and the overall export system.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has urged Thai Airways International to resolve its air cargo disruption more quickly, warning that a seven-day suspension is too long and could affect perishable agricultural exports.
Suphajee has been briefed on the suspension and instructed the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) to urgently assess its impact on exports. The department has also been tasked with coordinating with other airlines to secure alternative freight options.
She identified agricultural goods and other products vulnerable to spoilage or damage as priorities requiring close attention.
Although most Thai agricultural exports are transported overland through border checkpoints, officials have been instructed to gather information on shipments that depend on air freight and assess potential bottlenecks.
Asked whether the seven-day suspension was excessive, Suphajee described the period as too long, noting that the wider disruption could affect passenger travel, Thailand’s image and the country’s export system.
The government will ask Thai Airways to accelerate efforts to resolve the problem and coordinate with the Finance Ministry and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas on further measures.
On domestic consumer goods, Suphajee confirmed that discussions with businesses and trading partners showed supplies remained sufficient overall, although transport difficulties could prevent deliveries from reaching some areas.
Members of the public who encounter shortages can report them through the Department of Internal Trade hotline on 1569.
In areas that are difficult to reach, including parts of Sa Kaeo province, the government has coordinated with military personnel to help transport and distribute supplies to affected communities, Suphajee added.
