Troubles prompt Thai Airways to delay brief pitch

<p>BANGKOK: Thai Airways International has delayed all pitches for its </p><p>account as a result of a major management reshuffle at the beleaguered </p><p>national carrier. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>J Walter Thompson (JWT) is the incumbent on its international portfolio </p><p>but the three-year contract is now up for renewal. Thai Airways creative </p><p>manager Udomvit Krishnamara said that there were a number of policies </p><p>still under consideration due the restructuring at the airline. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We cannot yet set pitching dates as these decisions are all still in </p><p>process," he said, but was unable to confirm how many agencies would be </p><p>invited to pitch. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, JWT, said it was satisfied it had been successful during a time </p><p>the tourism industry in Thailand boomed to unprecedented levels. It </p><p>hoped to continue servicing the account. "We have been very happy </p><p>working with the client," said senior vice-president and group client </p><p>service director in charge of the brief, Suvit Pholvivat. "We have won a </p><p>lot of awards such as the Trang Underwater Wedding, which got into the </p><p>Guinness Book of Records." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Thai Airways has been plagued by employee disputes and accusations of </p><p>politicisation that led to prime minister Taksin Shinawatra stepping in </p><p>to try to restructure the airline ahead of its privitisation. A decision </p><p>on the account is expected in one month. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>