Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has announced temporary rescheduling and cancellation of flight operations on the route Bangkok-Khon Kaen-Bangkok, from 5 June-1 July 2000, while the runway lights at Khon Kaen Airport undergo maintenance.

Temporary rescheduling of THAI flights between 5 June – 1 July 2000, are announced as follows:
TG 046 Bangkok-Khon Kaen DEP16:45 ARR17:40
TG 047 Khon Kaen-Bangkok DEP18:20 ARR19:15

THAI utilizes the Boeing 737-400 aircraft to operate on this route.

Temporary cancellation of THAI flights between 5 June – 1 July 2000, are announced as follows:
TG 048 Bangkok-Khon Kaen DEP20:40 ARR21:35
TG 049 Khon Kaen-Bangkok DEP06:35 ARR07:30

For more information, please contact THAI’s Reservation Office at Tel: (662) 628-2000 and 280-0060, 24 hours a day.

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Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced the financial performance of the second quarter period during 1999/2000 budget year from January to March 2000 with a pre-tax profit of 2,462 million baht.

Mr. Amnuay Chanya, THAI’s Executive Vice President, Finance and Information Technology, announced an operating profit of 29,239 million baht and pre-tax profit of 2,462 million baht, an increase of 238 million baht compared to the same period last year.

For the six-month financial performance during the period of October 1999 to March 2000, THAI’s operating profit was reported at 59,468 million baht and a pre-tax profit of 12,868 milllion baht. The net profit reached 9,745 million baht, an increase of 1,067 million baht compared to the same period last year. The earning per share was 6.96 baht compared to the 6.20 baht from the same period last year.

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Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has announced plans to participate in EXPO 2000 in Hanover, in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Mr. Thamnoon Wanglee, THAI’s President, announced that “Since the Royal Thai Government has appointed the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment to act as the main organizing body of this world exposition during 1 June –31 October 2000, THAI, as a management subcommittee for EXPO 2000, is supporting this event by sending THAI staff to welcome and provide information about Thailand to visitors at the Thai Pavilion. THAI staff will wear the traditional Thai national dress to help promote Thai culture. They will work with staff from other organizations from Thailand. THAI is also sponsoring air tickets for staff who will be manning the Thai Pavilion and will be transporting items to be used in decorating the pavilion.

EXPO 2000 is scheduled to take place during 1 June – 31 October 2000 under the main theme “Humankind Nature and Technology”. In joining EXPO 2000, the area of good relations between Thailand and Germany as well as other countries in the European Community (EU) will be further consolidated and continue to flourish. Participation also creates a good image for Thailand, especially in the area of cultural, traditional, natural resources and environmental preservation that will aid in further enhancing economics, travel and tourism, industrial and agricultural development for the country of Thailand. Products of Thailand, the “Thai Brand”, will be introduced to be the world market at the exposition. In addition, to mark the 100th year anniversary of the late Princess Mother’s Royal Birthday, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment has it appropriate to include a display of the Princess Mother’s efforts in developing Doi Tung in the exhibition to be held in the Thai Pavilion.

The Thai Pavilion was constructed under the theme “From Biodiversity Comes Food for the World”, on an area of 42,200 square meters, which consists of a Jedi situated in the middle of a pond, the Traditional Thai House, Sustainable Development (Doi Tung Project), and Himaphan Forest.

It is expected that 40 million visitors worldwide will arrive at EXPO 2000 in Hanover, 30 % of which are estimated to visit the Thai Pavilion which is the equivalent of about 12 million visitors throughout the five-month exhibition period. Currently, there are 24,000 journalists around the world who have already confirmed their attendance to EXPO 2000 and the Thai Pavilion is among the top 20 most popular places visit.

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Bangkok, 25 May 2000 -- Thai Airways International Public Company Limited held its Board of Directors’ Meeting, chaired by Mr. Supachai Phisitvanich, THAI’s Vice Chairman, with the following results:

1. State Enterprise Plan 2000/01–2004/05
The Board of Directors approved the State Enterprise Plan 2000/01–2004/05 with the following objectives and goals:

Objectives

• Promote quality and efficiency of overall services to meet customer demands
• Enhance management techniques and operations to facilitate effective competition, exhibiting just business prerogatives for customers, competitors, staff and the company
• Establish guidelines for the effective use of Nong Ngu Hao Airport, to be officially opened towards the end of the five-year plan. This is for the maximum benefit of the company in terms of air cargo and its supporting activities as well as others in order to maintain the position of Thailand as an aviation hub of Asian region
• Promote efficient operations with special emphasis on those which are commercial-oriented, in order to attain maximum benefits and profitability

Goals

• To promote THAI as becoming one of the world’s leading airlines in terms of quality and services
• To promote overall operations with continued profitability and financial soundness
• To support investments on activities which will take place at Nong Ngu Hao Airport, to ensure operational effectiveness prior to the airport’s official opening, in accordance with the Airport Development Plan
• To boost values of THAI shares in the public and to gain public confidence and acceptance of shares for being blue chip stock
• To reduce the proportion of share holding in the airline to 70 percent

2. Purchase of Two Boeing 747-400s Aircraft
The Board of Directors approved of the proposal from Boeing to sell two Boeing 747-400s aircraft to THAI. However, a legal commitment will not be established between the two parties until Cabinet approval is granted.

3. Aircraft Loan
The Board of Directors approved the refinancing of THAI’s aircraft, at the amount of 4,500 million baht for the 12th Airbus A330-300, to be managed by the Government Savings Bank at the amount of THB 3,500 million and THB 1,000 million by THAI Employee Cooperatives. The loan was carried out under the same conditions as a loan in Thai baht, in order to pay for the purchase of the 14th Boeing B747-400 aircraft.

4. Management Appointment
The Board of Directors approved the expansion of the Crisis Management & Information Center CMIC) to become the Crisis Management & Information Center Department, headed by a Vice President who reports directly to the President. The Board of Directors also approved the appointment of Mr. Tummasak Chutiwong, Deputy Vice President, Office of the Executive Vice President, Operations Department as Vice President, Crisis Management & Information Center Department.

5. Inflight Products Development
The Board of Directors approved the plan to further develop inflight products and facilities. This includes aircraft seat development in all classes for Boeing 777-200, 777-300, 747-400 and Airbus A330-300 aircraft in accordance with the company’s policy as well as installation of modern inflight facilities and entertainment to effectively cater for the rapidly rising market demands in order to increase service efficiency.

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The Public Relations Office of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited provided the following clarification concerning THAI’s flight TG031/ 21 May 2000, routed from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok, involving an Airbus A300-600 aircraft, with 229 passengers on board. The flight was set to depart from Ubon Ratchathani at 19.40 hours and to arrive in Bangkok at 20.45 hours. During takeoff roll, the pilot discovered a problem with the oil clog system on engine number two, detected by activation of a warning light. The pilot aborted takeoff on the runway and taxied back to the ramp, in order for a complete aircraft check to be conducted. For passenger safety, spare parts were ordered from Bangkok for repair that would be conducted on 22 May 2000.

As for passengers who were booked on flight TG 031, the airline arranged for overnight accommodations on 21 May 2000 in order for passengers to travel to Bangkok on flight TG 021 the following day. Flight TG 021 departed from Ubon Ratchathani at 08.25 hours and arrived in Bangkok at 09.30 hours. Furthermore, flight TG 039 departed from Ubon Ratchathani at 09.59 hours and arrived in Bangkok at 10.50 hours, while the A300-600 aircraft in question was awaiting repair in order to return to operation in the fleet.

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Today, the Public Relations Office of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited provided the following clarification about THAI’s flight TG 008/ 20 May, routed from Bangkok-Udon Thani, an Airbus A300-600 aircraft, with 141 passengers and 10 cabin crew. The flight departed from Bangkok at 07.05 hours and arrived in Udon Thani at 07.55 hours. The pilot landed the plane on the runway that was wet due to drizzling rain, which made it difficult to brake on the runway. Therefore, the pilot proceeded to use the reverse thrust system, which resulted in the airplane overshot the runway end by approximately 20 meters and stopped on the over-run. None of the passengers and crew on board were injured. THAI will conduct a thorough inspection of the airplane in question.

THAI transported passengers who were booked on flight TG 009, which was to depart from Udon Thani for Bangkok at 08.40 hours, on another aircraft via flight TG 8430/ 20 May. Flight TG 8430 departed from Bangkok at 13.00 hours and arrived in Udon Thani at 14.00 hours; the flight departed Udon Thani at 14.45 hours and arrived in Bangkok at 15.45 hours.

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On 3 May 2000, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited will inaugurate its first flight to Petchaboon.

In support of the government's campaign to encourage domestic travel, THAI will begin flight operations to Petchaboon from 3 May 2000 onwards, which follows the official opening of the newly constructed Petchaboon Airport on 8 April 2000.

During 3-31 May 2000, THAI will operate three weekly return flights every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, using a 66-seat ATR aircraft, departing Bangkok at 15.45 hrs and arriving in Petchaboon at 17.00 hrs. The return flight leaves Petchaboon at 17.30 hrs and arrives in Bangkok at 18.40 hrs. The cost for airfare on this sector is 1,005 Baht.

Starting from 2 June 2000, THAI will operate on the route Bangkok - Petchaboon - Lampang, using a 149-seat Boeing B737-400 aircraft. The THAI flight will depart from Bangkok at 12.30 hrs and arrive in Petchaboon at 13.25 hrs. The flight is scheduled to leave Petchaboon at 14.00 hrs and arrive in Lampang at 14.45 hrs. The returning flight departs from Lampang at 15.25 hrs and arrives in Petchaboon at 16.45 hrs. Departing Petchaboon at 16.45 hrs and arriving in Bangkok at 17.35 hrs.

Petchaboon is THAI's 23rd destination in Thailand, the most recent domestic destination to be inaugurated since the inclusion of Krabi.

THAI offers a 24-hour reservation and information service at Tel. 628-2000.

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Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced an increase in domestic flight operations to accommodate an increase in passenger demand for air travel during Songkran Festival 2000.

In addition to the seven special flights that have been added during Songkran Festival, 13-16 April 2000, THAI announced the following increase in domestic flights and change in aircraft type to serve an increase in passenger demand :

Bangkok – Chiang Mai v.v.

• On 12 April 2000 : Flight TG 122 and TG 123 utilizing Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a capacity of 317 seats
• On 12 April 2000 : Flight TG 114 and TG 115 utilizing Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a capacity of 305 seats
• On 16 April 2000 : Flight TG 122 and TG 123 utilizing Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a capacity of 305 seats

Bangkok – Phuket v.v.

• On 13 April 2000 : Flight TG 921 and TG 206 utilizing Boeing B777-300 aircraft with a capacity of 388 seats
• On 13 April 2000 : Flight TG 207 and TG 208 utilizing Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a capacity of 305 seats
• On 13 April 2000 : Flight TG 211 and TG 212 utilizing Boeing B777-200 aircraft with a capacity of 305 seats

Bangkok – Surat Thani v.v.

• On 13 April 2000 : Flight TG 253 and TG 254 utilizing Airbus A300-600 aircraft with a capacity of 260 seats

THAI offers 24-hour reservation and flight information service at Tel. 628-2000 and 280-0060.

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SINGAPORE, April 7, 2000 – Star Alliance today announced that member airlines are taking the lead in launching the first buyer-driven business-to-business e-commerce exchange for the airline industry, allowing users to purchase their supplies online later this year. The exchange, intended for use by all airlines in the industry, will offer the most comprehensive selection of aircraft technical parts and services and general business supplies available to airlines on the Web.

Since the exchange is intended to serve the whole industry, airlines which are not members of Star Alliance will actively be invited to join the exchange. A number of carriers have already expressed an interest to participate in the near future.

An industry-wide platform would allow users to purchase products and services with the confidence that the system is buyer-driven. Robert Milton, CEO of Air Canada, spearheading the initiative on behalf of Star Alliance, said in Singapore: “We expect to achieve a wide range of benefits for the airlines participating in this system, including higher transparency of purchasing activity, lower prices and administrative efficiency.”

The site will be managed independently of individual airlines. A management team, identity for the exchange, and technology partners will be named at a later date.

As of April 7, the global Star Alliance network includes Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways – ANA, Ansett Australia, Austrian Airlines Group (comprising Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways), Lufthansa German Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines System – SAS, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines.

Mexicana Airlines and British Midland Airways are slated to join Star Alliance later this year. With the addition of the new members, the Star Alliance network will cover more than 800 destinations in 130 countries.

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SINGAPORE, April 7, 2000 – Star Alliance?, the airline network for Earth, has introduced its first global television advertising campaign aimed at enhancing the brand’s image among the world’s international business travelers.

The goal of the campaign is to increase awareness of the value of Star Alliance membership to airline travelers, as well as communicate the alliance’s vision and benefits to a wide range of constituents, including partner airline employees and stockholders, corporate travel managers, the media and the travel trade.

The integrated campaign, which includes television, print, out-of-home, direct mail and Internet executions, premiered on April 3, 2000. It was created by three Young & Rubicam companies: Young & Rubicam Advertising, Impiric London, and Luminant.

The communications strategy is focused on highlighting the many tangible customer benefits that the Star Alliance member airlines are providing to its customers. With a wide range of services extending across all the partner airlines, such as one-stop check-in, more opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyers miles, lounge access, silver and gold frequent flyer status recognition and unsurpassed global access, flying on Star Alliance carriers provides travelers with a real form of “star treatment.”

The television advertisements are based on this approach. Directed by Bob Richardson, an Academy Award-nominated cinematographer with many feature films to his credit, the spots humorously depict the growth of the Star Alliance brand and the way flying on Star Alliance member airlines makes a customer’s travel process feel seamless. The ads were shot on location in Los Angeles and Bangkok.

The campaign will be launched globally in pan-regional efforts in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Specific country efforts have been bought in sixteen individual markets, including the U.S. The media strategy focuses on channels that reach international business travelers while en route, including airport out-of-home, television, and business magazines and newspapers. The campaign will be the largest for Star Alliance in its three-year history.

Star Alliance was established in May of 1997. The alliance includes Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA - All Nippon Airways, Ansett Australia, the Austrian Airlines Group (Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways), Lufthansa German Airlines, SAS – Scandinavian Airlines System, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and Varig Brazilian Airlines. With Mexicana Airlines and British Midland slated to join the Star Alliance network later this year, the global partnership will include 13 members comprising 15 airlines.

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SINGAPORE, April 7, 2000 – The Star Alliance airlines, in their constant quest to make travelling easier by offering new benefits to their customers, will soon be able to welcome their elite-status frequent flyers to more than 500 airport lounges around the world – thus providing their customers twice as many lounges as any other airline alliance.

At a ceremony in Singapore today officially welcoming Singapore Airlines as the 11th member of the alliance, the Star Alliance airlines announced that, by July, some 250 lounges operated by outside parties for the member airlines will be opened to all Star Alliance Gold members.

Until now, these so-called third-party contract lounges have been available only for customers of the contracting airline.

The 250 third-party contract lounges are in addition to a similar number of carrier-operated airport lounges which already welcome Star Alliance customers all across the alliance network.

“Our lounge offering will be further expanded by the addition of facilities operated by new members as they enter the alliance,“ said Per Stendebakken, Star Alliance Vice President, Product and Service Development.

“Star Alliance Gold members will soon be able to enjoy the benefit of having access to more than 500 lounges from San Francisco in the west to Seoul in the east, from Helsinki in the north to Christchurch in the south. No other airline alliance can claim this number of lounges,“ Mr. Stendebakken added.

As of April 7, the Star Alliance members are: Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Ansett Australia, Austrian Airlines Group (which comprises Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways), Lufthansa German Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines System – SAS, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines.

Later this year, Mexicana Airlines and British Midland Airways are scheduled to join Star Alliance. With the addition of the new members, the Star Alliance network will cover more than 800 destinations in 130 countries.

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CEOs Reflect on Three Years of Advances in Meeting Customer Travel Needs

SINGAPORE, April 7, 2000 – Chief executives of some of the world’s leading airlines today gathered in Singapore to welcome Singapore Airlines as the newest member of Star Alliance? – “the airline network for earth.” Singapore Airlines becomes the eleventh member of the Alliance, and the second to join this year.

“There are few areas left in the world where Star Alliance doesn’t have a significant presence,” said Dr. Cheong Choong Kong, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Singapore Airlines. “But big is not necessarily beautiful. Enhanced benefits to the customer, such as easier access to a global network, more travel options, and seamless and convenient connections – these are beautiful, and these are the reasons why SIA is joining the Star Alliance network.”

An innovator and leader in customer service, Singapore Airlines and its regional subsidiary, SilkAir, fly to 93 destinations in 42 countries, serving Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, the South West Pacific, and Africa. Renowned for its superb inflight service, the airline regularly receives accolades from international organisations and publications involved in travel, tourism or business. The other members of the Star Alliance network are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways – ANA, Ansett Australia, the Austrian Airlines Group (comprising Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways), Lufthansa German Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines System – SAS, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. Mexicana Airlines and British Midland Airways are scheduled to join the Alliance later in the year.

“We are very pleased to have Singapore Airlines join our Alliance,” said Air Canada CEO Robert Milton, speaking on behalf of the other Star Alliance CEOs. “The Asia-Pacific region is an extremely important market for all of us, and having another fine carrier in the region will provide additional choice and destinations for our customers.”

CEOs look back on three years of success

During their board meeting in Singapore, which falls on the eve of the third anniversary of the creation of the Alliance, the member airline CEOs reflected on the progress they have made in realizing the vision of Star Alliance that was set out at the launch in May 1997.

The CEOs said they were satisfied that, in just three years, the Star Alliance network has re-shaped international air travel, and delivered the wide range of benefits anticipated at the launch. When the Alliance was created, the original five members pledged to provide customers with unsurpassed global access and seamless service. Initially, this simply meant allowing loyal customers to accumulate mileage points on all member airlines that counted toward top-tier status in the frequent flyer plan of their choice, as well as providing them reciprocal privileges at airport lounges. But that quickly changed as many new benefits were added.

At the launch, the CEOs promised that the Star Alliance network would result in access to more flights and destinations, simplified ticketing and reservations, more convenient connections, and better baggage and ground services – all of which combine to create a hassle-free, seamless travel experience.

In the three years since, Star Alliance has delivered on all the promises of Day One:

• More than 2,500 flights daily and more than 250 destinations have been added to the Star Alliance network since 1997, and member airlines have adjusted their arrival and departure times to make for more convenient connections.
• Passengers on flights connecting from one Star Alliance carrier to another are now checked through all the way to their destination, with boarding passes for all legs of the journey – eliminating the need to check in at transfer desks for seat assignment.
• Travelers can use the Internet to select their Star Alliance flight and make their own reservations through the Star Alliance website, www.star-alliance.com. The new, user-friendly system makes travel planning easy by being available 24-hours a day, seven days a week and only a mouse-click away.
• Wherever possible, Star Alliance airlines are moving their airport facilities to be close to one another, speeding up and simplifying connections. The most recent example of this “under-one-roof” approach is Rio de Janeiro.
• Frequent flyers who attain “Star Alliance Gold” or “Star Alliance Silver” status are given special recognition by all the member airlines, and are given priority service, such as Priority Check-in and Priority Baggage Handling.
• The reciprocal privileges at airport lounges has now been extended to more than 500 lounges worldwide [see separate release issued today].

“No one airline on its own can offer this range of benefits, the scope of destinations or the ease of travel that we can offer together, through the Star Alliance network,” said Mr.Thamnoon Wanglee, President of Thai Airways International.

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Bangkok, 23 March 2000 --- Thai Airways International Public Company Limited held its Board of Directors' Meeting, chaired by the airline's Chairman, Mahidol Chantrangkurn, to discuss the following issues:

1. Appointment of Human Resource Planning Sub-committee
The Board of Directors approved the appointment of Human Resource Planning Sub-committee to determine guidelines for selection process of future senior management successors and the plans for human resource development. The committee members are:

1. Mr. Sumet Tantivejkul - Chairman
2. Mr. Sansern Wongcha-um - Director
3. Mr. Wisudhi Srisuphan - Director
4. ACM Terdsak Sajjarak - Director
5. Mr. Wissanu Krea-ngam - Director
6. Mr. Ekamol Kiriwat - Director
7. Mr. Dusit Siriwan - Director
8. (representative from Thai Airways international)
9. (senior executive advisor)

2. THAI's Long Term Planning Sub-committee
The Board of Directors approved the appointment of Mr. Sansern Wongcha-um, General Secretary, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, as the Chairman of THAI's Long Term Planning Sub-committee.

3. State Enterprise Plan 2000/01 - 2004/05
The Management submitted the State Enterprise Plan 2000/01 - 2004/05 to the Board of Directors who suggested that some adjustments were necessary in order to achieve the airline's operation plans. The Long Term Planning Sub-committee was requested to review the plan and submit to the Board within 30 days.

4. Expansion of International Flight Kitchen Facility
The Board of Directors approved the expansion of production area at THAI's Catering Services Department, enabling the department to produce an extra 6,300 meals per day. This will bring the Catering Services Department's daily production to over 41,000 meals per day.

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The Austrian Airlines Group joined Star Alliance? - the airline network for Earth - on March 26, becoming the 10th member of the first truly global airline partnership which was created in 1997. The newest member comprises Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways and will considerably expand Star Alliance's reach into the eastern and southeastern parts of Europe as well as the Middle East.

"The Austrian Airlines Group enjoys a reputation of excellent service and operational quality. Its membership will greatly strengthen the Star Alliance network in Europe and further enhance the benefits we are able to offer our customers," said Mr. Thamnoon Wanglee, President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited.

Mr. Friedel R?dig, Chairman of the Star Alliance Management Board added, "The pace with which the Austrian Airlines Group has carried out the work that was necessary to integrate it into the alliance, is an excellent proof of the spirit of our new member. They have done a tremendous job since they announced their intention to join Star Alliance last fall."

Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways serve more than 120 destinations in 67 countries with a combined fleet of some 90 aircraft. Almost 8 million passengers used their services in 1999, traveling to and from Vienna, Innsbruck and Salzburg on 410 flights per day.

Star Alliance airlines are the leading carriers in the regions they serve. As of March 26, the Star Alliance members are: Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Ansett Australia, Austrian Airlines Group, Lufthansa German Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines System - SAS, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. Singapore Airlines is set to join the alliance next month, to be followed later this year by Mexicana Airlines and British Midland Airways. With the addition of the new members, the Star Alliance network will cover more than 800 destinations in 130 countries.

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Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced its summer program 2000 flight timetable for both domestic and international routes, effective from 26th March to 28th October, 2000. The company will change flight timetables in terms of routes, service frequency and type of aircraft used on each route (both inbound and outbound) as follows:

Domestic route:
THAI will increase its domestic weekly flight frequency between Bangkok and Phuket from 87 to 100.

International routes:
European
Starting from 1 July 2000, the total number of weekly flights operating on European routes will be increased from 51 to 53. The two weekly flight operations on the route Bangkok-Athens-Rome v.v. will be adjusted to direct flights Bangkok-Athens v.v. and Bangkok-Rome v.v., operating twice weekly for each route.

Australasia
THAI will maintain its 19 weekly flights serving the Australasia region, with some revision as follows:

• Operations on the route Bangkok-Perth-Phuket-Bangkok will be every Thursday and Friday. THAI flights will depart from Bangkok on Thursdays and Fridays and from Perth on Fridays and Saturdays.
  
• Operations on the route Bangkok-Phuket-Perth-Bangkok will be Saturdays and Sundays. THAI flights will depart from Bangkok on Saturdays and Sundays and from Perth on Sundays and Mondays.

Asia
Northern Routes

• Operations on the route Bangkok-Taipei-Seoul v.v. will be introduced to replace Phuket-Taipei-Seoul v.v.
• Airbus A330-300 aircraft will be utilized for flight operations on the route Bangkok-Kaohsiung v.v.

Southern Routes

• Airbus A330-300 aircraft will be utilized for flight operations on the route Bangkok-Jakarta v.v.
• Airbus A330-300 aircraft will be utilized for flight operations on the route Bangkok-Denpasar v.v.

Western Routes

• Airbus A330-300 aircraft will be utilized for operations on the routes Bangkok-Calcutta v.v., Bangkok-Colombo v.v., and Bangkok-Dubai v.v.
• Airbus A300-600 aircraft will be utilized for flight operations on the route Bangkok-Kathmandu v.v.

Indochina Routes

• THAI will operate the route Bangkok-Danang v.v. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays instead of Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

THAI’s Summer Program 2000 will take effect from 26th March to 28th October, 2000 in order to accommodate rising demand from air travelers.

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Bangkok --- For the three consecutive years, Thai Airways International’s Royal Orchid Plus was voted among the top three frequent flyer programs by frequent travelers from around the world, making THAI’s Royal Orchid Plus yet again the best in Asia. Royal Orchid Plus also garnered 3 additional 1999 Freddie Awards - Best Frequent Flyer Elite-level Program, Best Frequent Flyer Award Redemption Award, and Best Frequent Flyer Customer Service.

Best Frequent Flyer Elite-level Program was voted by ROP Gold members with special emphasis on recognition and benefits. Being voted the very best elite level program in the world is an indication that members’ expectations are being met.

Best Frequent Flyer Award Redemption Award travel to over 800 destinations, ample award seating availability on THAI, and instant award ticketing at 19 THAI offices world-wide, have all contributed to being the very best award redemption program in the world.

Best Frequent Flyer Customer Service is the award received through satisfying over 1.2 million members, and providing the very best frequent flyer customer service in the world is an achievement to be very proud of. The recipe for success? Perhaps the touch of Thai tradition of warm hospitality, and a full dedication of Royal Orchid Plus staff world-wide to Members First, Every Time.

Commenting on these prestigious awards, THAI's Executive Vice President Commercial, Mr. Prajak Jamrusmechoti, stated, "Royal Orchid Plus has once again achieved a level of excellence unmatched in Asia, and in three important areas delivers the best frequent flyer recognition, rewards and customer service in the world. This is an accomplishment that everyone at THAI is extremely proud of."

InsideFlyer magazine’s Freddie Awards are voted by international frequent travelers.
A closely audited ballot, the 12th Freddie Awards of 1999 acknowledge excellence in frequent traveler programs of the Americas and internationally. Of the nine individual Freddie Award categories, Star Alliance airlines, Thai Airways International and SAS, swept 8 Awards as the best in the world.

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Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced an increase of weekly seat capacity from 2,500 to 3,150 during its winter and summer programs for flight operations between Bangkok and Rangoon. The announcement of an increase of 650 seats per week was in accordance with the bilateral air agreement between Thailand and Myanmar, which took effect on 1 March 2000.

Currently, THAI operates 14 flights per week between Bangkok and Rangoon, using Boeing B737-400 (flights TG303/TG304) and Airbus A300-600 (flight TG305/TG306) aircraft. The Boeing B737-400 aircraft is able to accommodate a total of 149 passenger seats, comprised of 12 Business Class and 137 Economy Class seats, while the Airbus A300-600 is able to accommodate a total of 208 passenger seats, comprised of 46 Business Class and 162 Economy Class seats.

Effective 1 March 2000 onwards, THAI will utilize Airbus A300-600 aircraft for all flight operations on the route Bangkok-Rangoon v.v.

For further information, please contact THAI's Reservation Office at Tel: 6282000, serving THAI passengers 24 hours a day.

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Bangkok, 7 March 2000 - The Public Relations Office of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited today announced that the commercial cooperation between THAI and Swissair has been reached through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on code-share flights. Both airlines, THAI and Swissair, will soon offer 14 weekly flights operating between Bangkok and Zurich. THAI and Swissair will each operate 7 weekly flights, respectively, on the route Bangkok-Zurich based on the code-share agreement.

Code-share flights will take effect on 26 March 2000, during the beginning of Summer Program 2000.

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Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has successfully passed the Leap Year Rollover both Local and UTC time at every stations with no Y2K related problem reported. This is due to the long and dedicated efforts made to tackle Y2K problem including the Leap Year concern which has finally overcome the anxiety that some computer applications or embedded systems might not recognise that February 2000 has 29 days.

To be alert and well-prepared of any emerging problems, THAI has operated its Y2K Monitoring activities starting from 18.00hrs of February 28 until 01.00hrs of March 1, 2000. THAI's Station Manager in Auckland which is the first station that rolled into February 29 reported its normal situation via telephone conference, followed by Sydney station at 20.00hrs and Tokyo at 22.00hrs. All other THAI stations as well as THAI Computing Center reported their normal situation and smooth transition. The success has proven that THAI, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Thailand, has been fully prepared to tackle Y2K issues and able to provide uninterrupted services, with the highest standard and concern for safety and maximum convenience, to customers travelling on all THAI-operated routes.

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Thai Airways International Public Company Limited’s Cabin Crew Training Center was chosen for training Lufthansa flight attendants. THAI’s Cabin Crew Training Center is anticipated to become the future regional crew training center for airlines serving Asia.

Capt. Suradech Nabhindhakara, THAI’s Director, Flight Deck Crew Training Department, revealed that a group of 60 Lufthansa flight attendants had been enrolled in and sent to Thailand to attend the Emergency Training Course at THAI’s Crew Training Center. The course included a range of both practical and theoretical training to ensure maximum standard of safety on-board such as attending to passengers during emergency situations and inflight services. The practical training will be conducted through the use of highly advanced equipment and machinery such as Aircraft Door Trainers that have been installed to simulate various emergency situations. The Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer (CEET), has also been installed to enhance training techniques. The CEET is one of the world’s most advanced cabin training equipment which enables nearly all emergency situations to be simulated. The aircraft used for training has been installed with the Motion System, which allows actual aircraft movements during training as well as the system for fire and smoke simulation. Emergency evacuation training techniques through the slide-raft was also included.

THAI’s cabin crew training center is made up of office facilities, cabin mock-up, swimming pool for emergency sea rescue training, cabin service trainer of Boeing B747-400 and Airbus A300-600 aircraft separated into First, Business and Economy classes. THAI currently plans to install the Computer-Based Training System to encourage theoretical self-study practices.

Construction of the center was completed in April 1999. The main objectives for establishing the center are to promote and enhance the training of cabin attendants, those employed by THAI as well as customer airlines, accommodating rapid rise in service provision and training demands. The training will help ensure the highest standard of safety and service on board, in addition to maximizing passenger satisfaction. Flight attendants from Angel Airlines and Thai Flying Company Limited have received training from THAI’s Crew Training Center.

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Bangkok, 29 February 2000 -- Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, represented by Mr. Sutat Rattakunjara, Vice President, Product Development and Management, signed a business agreement with SRS Worldhotels, represented by Mr. Roland Jegge, Vice President Asia Pacific Region, to increase benefits for THAI’s Royal Orchid Plus frequent flyer programs.

Mr. Sutat Rattakunjara said, “Through this partnership, THAI’s ROP members are given more choices of hotels and able to stay at any hotels in the SRS Worldhotels chain. Members will receive 500 accumulated mileage points. Between 1 March to 31 May, 2000, we offer special promotion for all members who plan to stay at any SRS Worldhotels Asia Pacific chain for more than 2 nights will receive double mileage points.”

SRS Worldhotels has been in the business for over 30 years and well-known worldwide for excellent services and reservation systems. SRS Worldhotels chain covers over 400 hotels around the world, including some 250 resorts and small hotels. Its headquarters is located in Frankfurt, Germany, and Asia Pacific regional headquarters is located in Singapore. The hotels in Thailand included in the SRS Worldhotels chain are Siam City Hotel, Pan-Pacific Hotel, and Evergreen Laurel.

Currently, THAI’s Royal Orchid Plus members are able to select hotels of their choices from many hotel chains, including Central, Sheraton, Intercontinental and the latest SRS Worldhotels.

THAI’s Royal Orchid Plus was ranked among the top ten, according to the survey conducted by Business Traveller Magazine Asis Pacific 1999

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Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) transported the senate election ballots back to Thailand after voting was completed.

THAI was appointed by the Election Commission to assist in the transport of all senate election documents which included ballots, list of the candidates, list of eligible voters, as sent to THAI's offices worldwide, to Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates, which had been sent since early January. This service made it possible for 26,927 eligible Thai voters living abroad to vote for the candidate of choice. Presently, the ballots are on their way back to Thailand via THAI flights from Singapore, Indonesia, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Norway, France and Greece, those of which include :

• 24 February 2000 - Brussels (Belgium), London (UK), Brasilia (Brazil), Guangzhou (People's Republic of China)
• 25 February 2000 - Taipei (Taiwan)
• 26 February 2000 - Yangon (Myanmar)
• 27 February 2000 - Abu Dabi (United Arab Emirates), Hong Kong, Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Manila (Philippines), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Peking (People's Republic of China), Wellington (New Zealand)
• 28 February 2000 - New Delhi (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Stockholm (Sweden), Karachi (Pakistan), Muscat (Oman), Osaka (Japan), Kunming & Shanghai (People's Republic of China), Seoul (Republic of Korea), Sydney (Australia)
• 29 February 2000 - Madrid (Spain) and Los Angeles (U.S.A.), the largest concentration of eligible voters and last city for ballots to be sent back to Thailand, at 23.59 hrs. via flight TG 773

THAI and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit ballots from 76 stations in 56 countries to the Election Commission through the Communications Authority of Thailand, to be included in the vote tabulation on Saturday, 4 March 2000.

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Bangkok, 24 February 2000 -- Thai Airways International Public Company Limited held its Board of Directors’ Meeting, chaired by Mr. Mahidol Chantrangkurn, THAI’s Chairman, with the following results:

1. Increase of Domestic Air Fare

Following the approval of the Civil Aviation Committee on March 8th, 1999, for THAI to increase its domestic air fares, but due to the remaining effects of Asia economic crisis, the increment has been postponed during THAI’s Board of Directors’ Meeting dated 21st April, 1999.

However, due to an estimation of 1,700 million baht loss on domestic operations of the current budget year, it was necessary for the increment of domestic airfare to take effect according to the approval from the the Civil Aviation Committee in 1999. The Board of Directors agreed to an increase of between 12.7- 13.5 per cent or 40-465 baht, effective as of 20th April, 2000, on domestic fare on all domestic routes to which THAI operates. Further delay of the decision may affect many aspects of THAI operations. The increase will also help further enhance the airline’s domestic service efficiency.

2. Star Alliance

The Board of Directors was informed of the recent meeting which took place in Singapore, between Mr. Thamnoon Wanglee, THAI’s President, and the Chief Executive Officers of Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa, Dr. Choong Kong and Mr. Jurgen Weber. Following the meeting to discuss Star Alliance issues, THAI issued a press statement to confirm that THAI would remain in the Star Alliance and the recent news about the possibility of THAI leaving the alliance was incorrect.

3. Increase Reserve for Staff Pension Fund

The Board of Directors approved an increment of reserve for the company’s pension fund, which should be equivalent to company’s obligations entitled by all employees at an amount of 496.89 million baht for the 1999/2000 budget year following recommendations of the Ministry of Finance.

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