Bangkok Pilots: Foreign Flight Rule Sparks Job Security Fight
Thailand’s aviation industry is embroiled in controversy over the government’s temporary allowance of foreign pilots on domestic flights, a measure intended to address aircraft shortages. While the Ministry of Labour insists the policy is a stopgap measure expiring by the end of 2025, the Thai Pilots Association (TPA) has filed a lawsuit to halt the practice, sparking a heated debate about Thai pilot job security and aviation safety.
The temporary approval, granted by the Thai cabinet in December 2024, allows airlines to utilize “wet lease” agreements, leasing aircraft complete with crews, including pilots. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn cited the current aircraft deficit as justification. He explained that the approval is contingent on the shortage, has a maximum one-year duration subject to cabinet renewal, and that expected aircraft deliveries in 2026 should eliminate the need for foreign pilots.
The TPA contends this temporary measure could become permanent, displacing Thai pilots. TPA President Teerawat Angkasakulkiat argues the cabinet approval circumvents existing foreign labor and air navigation laws, jeopardizing the livelihoods of approximately 5,000 Thai pilots, 1,700 of whom are currently unemployed. He expressed concern that the lack of a cap on wet-leased aircraft could lead to an influx of foreign pilots, worsening unemployment.
The TPA distinguishes this situation from airlines like Bangkok Airways, which uses wet-lease agreements exclusively for international flights, posing no direct threat to Thai pilot employment. Mr. Teerawat also highlighted that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand’s director-general has yet to officially endorse the measure—a legal prerequisite for foreign pilots operating domestic routes. This adds to the legal complexities.
The Ministry of Labour frames the policy as a necessary response to a temporary supply chain disruption; the TPA views it as a potential slippery slope, prioritizing foreign pilots over local talent. Mr. Teerawat asserts that some airlines might find it more expedient to source pilots from affiliated international carriers than to invest in training Thai pilots. This, coupled with legal ambiguities, fuels the TPA’s concerns and underscores the urgency of its legal action. The future of Thailand’s cockpits remains uncertain as the clash between immediate operational needs and long-term employment concerns persists.
