JQ/QF do fly direct Thailand and have considerable direct flights to Japan so I still don’t get your point here.
Indeed. Have a good look at which flights are operated by Jetstar then at QF, finally look at how many are codeshare on another carrier.
Now have a look at Virgin flights from Sydney or Melbourne. The West coast is worse. The only direct flight from Perth to Bangkok is Thai Airways. QF and VA do not bother. The same with KL, no service from our flag carrier and their duopoly partner. They leave it to Malaysia, Air Asia and Malindo.
Like I said, they raised the white flag.