Thailand's Department of Civil Aviation asked to train more pilots

BANGKOK  --   A shortage of qualified Thai pilots on the country's domestic air routes means that some foreign pilots are being employed, according to the Civil Aviation Department.

In response to Thai pilot complaints that foreign pilots are illegally flying planes on domestic routes and affecting their careers, Civil Aviation Department Director-General Somchai Piputvat said that the use of foreign pilots violated Thai labor law but solved the local shortage of pilots for the present.

Mr Somchai said the law might be amended to permit foreign pilot domestic service as the training of qualified Thai pilots cannot at present meet demands in the growing aviation industry

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Transport Soithip Trisuddhi told the department to increase the numbers of trained aviation personnel to meet the growing demands of the aviation industry.

Thailand's permanent secretary for transport used the 81st anniversary of the founding of the Department of Civil Aviation to call for urgent improvements to the Air Transport Act of 1954 which she said had become outdated. She said more pilots needed to be trained and that facilities needed to be upgraded.

In the 60 years since the act was effected, developments in the aviation industry, Ms Soithip said many changes have come to the air transport sector.

Ms Soithip instructed the department to quickly finish its plan to make better use of the department's 28 provincial airports.

The plan should promote safe operations of the facilities in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

Ms Soithip told the department to increase the numbers of trained aviation personnel to meet the growing demands of the aviation industry.

Transport Minister Prajin Juntong's policy to upgrade U-Tapao airport into an international airport was also brought to focus on the occasion, Ms Soithip said.

Early next Thailand's month transport authorities will discuss area allocation for commercial and security operations at U-Tapao airport with the Navy, as it supervises the facility, Ms Soithip said.

Civil Aviation Department Director-General Somchai said a consultancy will conclude the plan for the 28 provincial airports by the end of December.

- Source: http://www.pattayamail.com