(Updates with government spokesperson comment in paragraph four)
BANGKOK, July 21 (Reuters) – A group of seven Thai airlines are seeking a combined 5 billion baht ($152.16 million) in low interest loans from the Thai government to help weather the effects of the coronavirus crisis, the Thai Airlines Association said on Wednesday.
The seven airlines had initially requested $770 million in soft loans, but had not received government support.
“We have reduced the request from last year and the 5 billion baht will only cover employment and doesn’t include leases, jet fuel and other expenses,” Thai Airlines Association president Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth told reporters.
The latest request was around a fifth of the amount the group had previously sought. Thai government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said all pandemic relief proposals from any business in Thailand would be…
