IATA Asia-Pacific has stepped forward to defend its Thai office's move to declare a Thai agent defaulted over a 0.60 baht (US$0.019) shortfall in payment.

The response came after Bangkok-based Thai Sky NTT Tours yesterday e-mailed its complaint for a "default" over the 0.60 baht shortfall in remittance for its sales between July 16 and July 30, totalling 625,640.60 baht.

Its director, Pornchai Pornsirigosol, said after one baht was paid to the IATA's Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) account on August 17, it was also asked to immediately make payment for sales between August 1 and 18, totalling 626,743.40 baht.

In addition, it has incurred a 550 baht penalty and another US$315 to activate the ticketing and sales system.

According to IATA spokesman, Albert Tjoeng, under normal circumstances, if an agent makes good the shortfall in their payment within 24 hours, the agent will not be placed in default.

"In the case of Thai Sky NTT Tours, this was the second occurrence of short payment within the last 12 months (the last time being December 2009). Hence in line with the BSP remittance procedures and accreditation policy, Thai Sky NTT Tours was placed in default."

At press time, TTG Asia e-Daily was unable to contact Pornsirigosol for response over the repeated shortfall payment. Nonetheless, Tjoeng added Thai Sky NTT Tours had been reinstated.