THAI Increases Flights for Songkran Festival Thai Airways International Public Company Limited will increase its flight operations on both domestic and international routes during the Songkran Festival between 12-16 April, 2002 in order to meet the increase in demand from air travelers during the holiday. THAI will increase flights on the following routes: Domestic Routes 1. Bangkok – Phuket, return: additional 6 flights on April 13, 15 and 16, 2002 2. Bangkok – Chiang Mai, return: additional 2 flights on April 13 and 16, 2002 International Routes 1. Bangkok – Beijing, return: additional 2 flights on April 12 and 16, 2002 On some routes THAI will replace its  aircraft with larger ones, which will be utilized during the Songkran Festival to satisfy the high demand from air travelers during this period.  In addition, THAI will continue to monitor  the reservation status on other routes and consider flight increases if required. For further information , please contact our 24 hour reservation service at tel. 66-2-628-2000 or 66-2-280-0060 Back to index...

THAI Receives Extension of Government Indemnity Until 30 Sep The Cabinet meeting, held on 19 March 2002, approved extension of the provision of indemnity on behalf of THAI in excess of the USD 50 million to another USD 1,500 million of any loss due to war risk to third party. Thai Airways International has requested the government to extend the indemnity in excess of USD 50 million on behalf of the airline under Aviation Hull and Liabilities in the clause related to War Risk Liabilities, which includes hijacking and associated perils as well as terrorist activities, from 1 April until 30 September 2002 due to unavailability of this type of insurance in the market at this time. Thai Airways International has continued to place special emphasis on passengers’ safety. Measures which have been introduced to strengthen THAI security and safety standards include flight deck door security, close cooperation with the airports authorities both in Thailand and overseas and flight re-routing to avoid risk zones in order to ensure maximum safety for all passengers. Back to index...

THAI Offers Special Savings for Royal Orchid Plus  Members Thai Airways International Public Company Limited offers a special discount of up to 50% on upgraded travel from Economy Class to Royal Executive Class, or from Royal Executive Class to Royal First Class from April 15 - October 31, 2002 with earnings from the Royal Orchid Plus (ROP) mileage. Mr. Tasnai Sudasna, THAI's Executive Vice President, Commercial, said that THAI has continued to develop its marketing and sales promotion to further improve services and facilities in order to provide members of the ROP with added comfort and convenience as well as to accommodate the gradual recovery of aviation and tourism market in Southeast Asia. THAI is introducing special discounts for ROP members on selected international routes, with special discounted upgrades of up to 50%. Members are also eligible for the higher mileage normally earned on premium  classes of an additional 25% on the Royal Executive Class and 50% on the Royal First Class. All mileage accumulated will be considered towards the upgrading of status from silver to gold card holder. For more information, please contact the Royal Orchid Plus Centre at  tel. 0-2545-2000 or www.thaiairways.com/rop Back to index...

THAI’s New President Announces Working Strategy with Management Team Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, President, Small Industry Finance Corporation was selected by the THAI Board of Directors to the post of President of Thai Airways International on February 28, 2002. A sub-committee has been set up to negotiate contract details and performance standards led by Mr. Thanong Bidaya and Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul. Mr. Kanok Abhiradee will commence his position as THAI’s President as soon as the contract is finalized, which is anticipated to be the end of this week. Details of the company’s management policies cannot be given until the new President officially assumes his position. However, further meetings with the Management team will be held to develop  a corporate management strategy. Mr. Kanok Abhiradee said, “I emphasize  teamwork. Listening to others is the most significant task and giving all functions the responsibility to work towards the company’s policy will increase the management efficiency. I believe that the current management of Thai Airways International is highly qualified and has extensive working experiences in the aviation industry.  This is a good foundation and an advantage for the working atmosphere since everybody can contribute to making this carrier one of the best in the world.” In addition, Mr. Kanok Abhiradee stated that it is equally important to be able to listen and provide opportunities for staff at all levels to give their opinions and demonstrate their creativity and management skills for the benefit of the company. Back to index...

Six Sigma Project Saves THAI Technical One Billion Baht 1 March 2002, the Technical Services Department of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, led by Mr. Kobchai Srivilas, THAI's Managing Director, Technical Services Department celebrated a Six Sigma Day 2002, to report on the progress and present certificates marking the outstanding achievements of project leaders. The presentation ceremony was presided over by Mr. Virabongsa Ramangura, THAI's Chairman, at the Impact Convention Center, Muangthong Thani, Bangkok. Over 400 participants attended the meeting included representatives from THAI's Management and Technical executives, and aviation-related specialists. Among the honored guests were Mr. George Oliver, President & CEO, General Electric Aircraft Engine (GEAE) and Mr. Dhawatchai Tangsanga, Executive Director, Thailand Productivity Institute. The Six Sigma project was implemented at THAI's Technical Services Department in 1999 with cooperation from GEAE. Six Sigma is a new management methodology adopted by various organizations in Thailand to develop effective working processes, which in turn will help boost customers' satisfaction, cut cost and increase production. In a statistical term, Six Sigma means that a defect or flaw occurs only 3.4 times in every million opportunities. Representatives from GEAE helped train the technical staff, aiming to gain maximum staff participation in the project. Problems and obstacles of a working process may be analytically determined, so that suitable solutions can be developed. The Technical Services Department has applied the Six Sigma program to various units including line/light and heavy maintenance as well as engine overhaul. Mr. Kobchai Srivilas, THAI's Managing Director, Technical Services, said, "I am proud to say that the Six Sigma program has helped save over one billion Baht for THAI. However, the Technical Services Department does not only operate for business purpose, but has continued to place special emphasis on quality, efficiency and most of all, the highest standard of safety. And when we talk about safety, it applies to safety of aircraft, employee and the surrounding environment as well as community. The Six Sigma methodology has been adopted to generate maximum yield for the company with optimum utilisation of the existing resources especially the human resource. Therefore, there is a need for a continual development." Since the implementation, some 150 staff participated in the program at the levels of green and black belts. THAI Green Belts and Black Belts have completed 52 projects for the Technical Services. Many airlines throughout the world are beginning to consider using Six Sigma methodology to improve their operations. Established in 1959, the Technical Services Department has provided aircraft maintenance and other technical services for THAI and other customer airlines including Air France, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Malaysian Airlines, and Japan Air System. Currently, the Technical Services Department has over 4,000 employees and been awarded ISO9002 and ISO14001 certification in 1998 and 2001, respectively Back to index...