THAI Celebrates is New Route, Bangkok – Milan v.v. Thai Airways International Public Company Limited recently held a reception to celebrate its newest route, Bangkok – Milan v.v., at the Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan, Italy, chaired by Pol.Gen. Sant Sarutanond (centre), a member of THAI’s Board of Directors and Mr. Giorgio Goggi (5th from left), Deputy Mayor of Milan. Also present at the reception were members of THAI’s Board of Directors, including Dr. Chai-anan Samudavanija and Prof. Dr. Tatchai Sumitra, Dr. Vachara Phanchet, Vice Minister for Industry and Mr. Panlert Baiyoke, Chairman of Bangkok Fashion City Board of Director. The reception highlighted a fashion show by four leading Thai designers,namely Nagara for Jim Thompson, Pichitra (using fabrics from the SUPPORT Foundation, Mae Fah Luang (using fabrics from the Mae Fah Luang Foundation) and Pasaya, presenting approximately 48 fashion designs. To mark the 44th anniversary of THAI, as well as support the government’s aim to promote Bangkok as a Fashion City, THAI launched a twice weekly flight between Bangkok – Milan, utilizing MD11 aircraft,every Tuesday and Friday. Milan is recognized as one of the world’s fashion center. Back to index..

THAI Announces Flight Reschedule on TG 417 and TG 418 Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced that it will reschedule flight timing routed between Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur starting 1 June - 20 October 2004 as follows: Flights Current Schedule New Schedule 1 June - 20 October 2004 TG 417 Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur 1525 -1840 1600 - 1910 TG 418 Kuala Lumpur - Bangkok 1945 - 2100 2015 -2125 Back to index..

THAI Announces 2nd Quarter Results & 6 Months Financial Results for Fiscal Year 2003/04 Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced its second quarter results (January to March 2004) for Fiscal Year 2003/04,whereby the net profit amounted to 5,318 million baht. Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI's President, announced that THAI's operating result for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2003/04 amounted to a total revenue of 39,323 million baht and an operating profit of 8,640 million baht, which increased 1,269 million baht or 17.2 percent when compared to the same period last year. THAI earned a net profit of 5,318 million baht, which was higher than the same period last year by 531 million baht or 11.1 percent. Earnings per share for the second quarter was 3.16 baht, compared to 3.42 baht earnings per share in the same period last year, resulting from the company's public share offering of 285 shares during November 2003. In addition, Mr. Abhiradee said that during the airline's six month operations in Fiscal Year 2003/04 (October 2003 to March 2004), THAI announced total revenue of 77,577 million baht, an increase of 4,323 million baht or 5.9 percent when compared to the same period last year. Increase in total revenue during the six months of operations was a result of revenues from transportation, which increased 4,262 million baht or 6.1 percent. As THAI experienced an increase in passenger traffic on nearly all routes or an average of 5.1 percent when compared to the same period last year, THAI's cabin factor increased to 73.6 percent during this period, when compared to 72.4 percent during the same period last year. The airline experienced an increase in expenses in the sale of goods and the rendering of services of 1,885 million baht or 3.2 percent, mainly resulting from expansion in production. The airline therefore earned an increase in profit from the sale of goods and rendering of services of 16,191 million baht, an increase of 2,438 million baht or 17.7 percent. THAI earned a net profit of 9,667 million baht, an increase of 1,370 million baht or 16.5 percent when compared to the ame period last year. Earnings per share for the six months was 6.04 baht when compared to earnings per share of 5.93 baht in the same period last year. Back to index..

China's Guangxi Delegation on a Visit at THAI's Head Office Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI's President , recently presented a welcome to Guangxi Governmental Delegation, People's Republic of China on a visit at Thai Airways International, Head Office. The Guangxi Governmental Delegation was led by Mr. Zhang Wenxue , Vice Governor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The objective of the visit was to strengthen relationship with THAI, promote Guangxi tourism and hope to collaborate with THAI on air travel facilitation during ASEAN EXPO held in Nanning City at the end of 2004 Back to index..

THAI organizes visit to Suvarnabhumi Airport for APAMA members Thai Airways International Public Company Limited recently held a meeting with APAMA (Asia-Pacific Aviation Media Association) and a visit to Suvarnabhumi Airport. In the welcome was ACM. Narongsak Sangapong, THAI's Executive Vice President, Special Project Department (1st row, 4th from left). The objective was to visit THAI's work progress at the new airport. In addition, the visit was aimed at giving APAMA the insight of Suvarnabhumi Airport. THAI's meeting with APAMA was held with APAMA members of Thailand's chapter. The objective of APAMA is to further enhance the cooperation between journalistic and aviation professionals to ensure a better understanding for the readers, viewers and listeners to the media and the passengers traveling on airline. In addition, the group visited the Suvanabhumi Airport's construction site to study the airport facilities and infrastructure. Back to index..

THAI Confirms No Fuel Surcharge Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced that the airline will not yet collect fuel surcharge due to the increase in fuel cost, for domestic and international flights. Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI's President, said that the cost of fuel has gradually increased recently and affected airlines, resulting in an increase in fuel-related expenses, and some airlines have implemented a fuel surcharge included in the passenger ticket. However, THAI currently has no policy to collect a fuel surcharge, that would be included in the passenger ticket, for travel on THAI flights but will continue to observe the increasing fuel cost situation closely. As for THAI's purchase of fuel, the airline has a policy and regulation regarding fuel cost risk management but fuel prices are presently not hedged since the fuel price situation is currently changing. Back to index..

THAI Participates in Air Cargo China 2004 Exhibition in Shanghai, China The Cargo and Mail Commercial Department of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced its participation in the Air Cargo China 2004 exhibition, where a THAI Cargo booth will be on display. More than 39,000 people and various organizations such as airlines and commercial mail businesses will participate in the event. The exhibition will be held from 11 to 14 May at Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), in Shanghai, China and it is supported by The A-Z Group and Transport Logistic China. Mr. Chanchai Singtoroj, THAI's Managing Director, Cargo and Mail Commercial Department, said that the main purpose of the Air Cargo China 2004 exhibition is to support Thailand and Chinas' free trade agreement policy. At this event, THAI will set up booth on Suvarnabhumi Airport promoting the airline's cargo and commercial mail department. At the new airport THAI Cargo has an international cargo area of 90,000 square meters, and during the first phase will be able to handle approximately 966,000 tons of air cargo per year. Nevertheless, the handling capacity will expand to 1,226,000 tons per year in 2553. There are plans to introduce a Customs Free Zone in order to reduce the customs process and prepare Bangkok to be the cargo hub of Asia.Moreover, "THAI Cargo, Thai Care", the new advertising slogan of THAI's Cargo and Mail Commercial Department and its new strategies and services will be presented at THAI's exhibition booth. Today, THAI operates to seven destinations in China,those being Shanghai, Beijing, Kunming, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and the newest destination Jinghong (Chiangrung). Thailand and China currently have strong air transportation potential, which will continue to grow for the next 20 years. In 2002, air cargo transport in China was over 16.2 billion tons, which ranked number five in the world and increases annually. Air Cargo China 2004 is a significant air transportation exhibition, which was established by Air Cargo Week magazine and is held on an annual basis. Last year's exhibition was held in Munich, Germany under the theme Air Cargo Europe 2003. Over 39,000 people and several organizations participated in the exhibition, such as airlines, industries, and commercial mail businesses. This year, the exhibition is being held in Shanghai, the largest business and industrial city in China. Back to index..

THAI Implements Commercial Strategy to Move Towards Asian Leadership Thai Airways International Public Company Limited recently held a Commercial Conference under the topic "We Go for the Best" at the Tide Resort, Bangsaen Beach, Chonburi, with the participation of THAI's Management and general managers. Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI's President, said that the conference aimed to establish the airline's commercial strategies to achieve the Towards Asian Leadership objective. The mission discussed at the conference emphasized the following: · To increase revenue with a focus on premium customers and to target more premium customers at 30,000 per year worldwide. · To establish precise measuring standards and to improve profitable routes by increasing weekly flights on routes in Europe such as London and Frankfurt, and in Asia such as Kolkata, Bombay, Guangzhou, Chengdhu, and Nagoya. · To assure a full load on every first flight. · To drive business with seamless connections. · To work closely with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to strengthen travel business. In this regard, Mr. Abhiradee also stressed that THAI's general managers from THAI's offices worldwide improve the working focal points towards a customer-oriented purpose by segmentation, ranging from agents to end customers with an understanding of their behavior. A monthly sales report from each station should also be provided to Head Office for sales improvement. In addition, every general manager should keep in mind that being initiative and proactive by setting clear-cut objectives will bring about corporate strategies and aid the commercial department to work effectively. THAI's President also requested general managers to professionally control and manage internal operations with good governance, aligning the strategic planning with the Government's free-trade policy which will consequently make the airline competitive and drive THAI towards Asian leadership. The conference also included discussion on THAI's total communications development over a 10-year period as well as a workshop including SWOT analysis (Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat) for the commercial department to aim towards further implementing the strategic planning and operation. Back to index..

THAI Holds Commercial Conference 2004 Thai Airways International Public Company Limited recently held its Commercial Conference 2004 under the topic "We Go for the Best" at the Tide Resort, Bangsaen Beach, Chonburi, chaired by Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI's President. Also present at the conference were Mr.Kobchai Srivilas, THAI's Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning and Information Technology Services Department, Mr.Suthep Suebsantiwongse, THAI's Executive Vice President, Commercial Department, THAI's Management, and general managers. The conference was held for conference participant brainstorming and to discuss THAI's strategies of achieving the Towards Asian Leadership objective Back to index..

THAI Wins the 2004 PATA Gold Award Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has won the 2004 PATA Gold Award in the Electronic Media category for the airline's "Wonders" advertisement which was broadcast on local and international TV media during the 4th quarter of 2003 to the 1st quarter of 2004. Mr. Suthep Suebsantiwongse (third from left), THAI's Executive Vice President, Commercial Department, recently received the 2004 PATA Gold Award, Travel Advertisement Awards - Electronic Media for THAI's "Wonders" advertisement from Mr. Ken Scott (second from right), Pacific Asia Travel Association's (PATA) Managing Director - Communications. Also present were Mr. Serm Phenjati (far right), THAI's Director, Commercial Promotion Department, and Ms. Duangruedee Rochanakorn (far left), THAI's Manager,Advertisement Department. The advertisement, produced by J Walter Thompson Co. Ltd., Thailand's leading advertising agency, aimed to emphasize THAI's determination in moving towards Asian Leadership with the recent launch of inaugural flights to Indochina, China and India, destinations with high potential for development. The PATA Gold Awards recognize exceptional achievement in a variety of endeavors, bringing acclaim to the best the region's travel industry has to offer. The winning projects set industry standards for excellence and innovation. Back to index..