THAI Announces Results of Board of Directors Meeting 19 June 2002, at Thai Airways International Public Company Limited’s Head Office, a Board of Directors meeting was held, chaired by Mr. Srisook Chantrangsu, THAI’s Vice Chairman, with the following results: Selection of THAI’s Chairman THAI’s Board of Directors selected Mr. Thanong Bidaya as THAI’s Chairman of the Board, replacing Mr. Virabongsa Ramangkura as the airline’s chairman. Mr. Bidaya’s appointment is effective as of 19 June 2002. Back to index...

THAI Enters Code Share Agreement with Domestic Carriers Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced a code share agreement with PB Air and Air Andaman on 13 domestic routes, which will take effect from 15 June onwards. Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, said that the move was to further promote the Thai aviation and tourism industry as well as to develop the country’s economy.  The code share routes are as follows: 1. THAI and PB Air 1.1 Bangkok-Lampang v.v.   13 flights per week 1.2 Bangkok-Phetchabun v.v.   2 flights per week 1.3 Bangkok-Sakhon Nakon v.v.  7 flights per week (TG operates 2 flights weekly) 1.4 Bangkok-Nakhon Phanom v.v.  7 flights per week (TG operates 2 flights weekly) 2. THAI and Air Andaman 2.1 Bangkok-Buri Ram v.v.   7 flights per week (TG operates 2 flights weekly) 2.2 Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima v.v.         14 flights per week 2.3 Bangkok-Mae Sot v.v.   7 flights per week 2.4 Bangkok-Phrae v.v.   7 flights per week 2.5 Bangkok-Nan v.v.   7 flights per week 2.6 Chiang Mai-Mae Sot v.v.  4 flights per week 2.7 Chiang Mai-Phitsanulok v.v.  3 flights per week 2.8 Chiang Mai-Nan v.v.   2 flights per week 2.9 Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai v.v.           14 flights per week On 1 May, THAI terminated flights operations on 8 of its secondary and auxiliary routes as follows: - Bangkok-Phetchabun-Lampang v.v. - Chiang Mai-Nan-Prae-Phitsanulok v.v. - Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai v.v. - Bangkok-Mae Sot-Chiang Mai v.v. - Bangkok-Phitsanulok-Lampang v.v. - Bangkok-Prae-Nan v.v. - Bangkok-Phetchabun v.v. - Bangkok Nakhon Ratchasima v.v. THAI also operates twice weekly flights using the ATR72 aircraft on the routes, Bangkok-Sakhon Nakhon v.v., Bangkok-Nakhon Phanom v.v. and Bangkok-Buriram v.v. Under the agreement, THAI is able to offer marketing support to both PB Air and Air Andaman by focusing on sales of air tickets at overseas stations to which THAI operates in order to bring more overseas visitors to Thailand.  Passengers travelling to Thailand on board THAI flights can then make domestic connections using either PB Air, Air Andaman or THAI.  THAI also organizes joint Royal Orchid Holidays programs with both airlines to boost tourism and spending of foreign currency in Thailand.  THAI is expected to enter a code share agreement with Phuket Air in the near future. For more information and reservation, please contact THAI’s 24-hour office at Tel: 02-268-2000 and 02-280-0060. Back to index...

Thai  Airways International and Amadeus Continues a Successful Partnership   12 June 2002, Thai Airways International (THAI) today renewed its partnership agreement with Amadeus, a leading global distribution system (GDS) and travel industry technology provider. Under the terms of the contract, THAI will continue to grow in partnership with and use Amadeus as its internal reservation system.. This agreement allows THAI to fully communicate  with travel agencies (57,950 worldwide) who use the same reservation system. Similarly, the carrier can interact in a totally seamless and transparent manner with seven of its fourteen fellow Star Alliance™ members who also use the Amadeus  system user product. Employing a sales and distribution system shared by  partner airlines and travel agencies, enables THAI to benefit from a significant reduction in its internal processing and servicing tasks and allows the airline to dedicate more time and effort to ensure the excellent customer service which it is renowned for. THAI president, Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, said the initial ten year period of partnership with Amadeus was a result of THAI having chosen the right partner to serve its distribution needs.  “Amadeus is a leading GDS provider in Thailand and the region, and was responsible for the majority of the bookings of  THAI in 2001,” he said. “During the past two years, THAI thoroughly evaluated its partnership with Amadeus. At every level of the decision-making process, we came to the same conclusion - Amadeus is an outstanding choice for partnership for THAI .” In addition to the commercial benefits, THAI will profit from Amadeus’ cutting-edge technology. This includes advanced e-commerce solutions and forthcoming new generation (NewGen) airline information technology services, which will be developed on a community basis with other Amadeus system user airlines.  Amadeus has continued to develop and enhance its solutions to accommodate the rapidly changing needs of the travel industry. As a result, 109 airlines around the world are currently using the GDS as their sales and distribution system. Amadeus also places special emphasis on customers, which serves airline strategies and is in the best interest of THAI. According to Hans Jorgensen, Vice President, Airline Business Group, Amadeus, the GDS has maintained an excellent relationship with THAI over the past ten years by providing uniquely customized distribution, IT and e-commerce services, in an effort to help the airline lower costs, improve yield revenue and build stronger customer relations. “Amadeus is proud of having been selected again as a strategic partner to THAI, one of Asia’s most prominent airlines,” he said. Back to index...

THAI Reduces Domestic Flights During June   Thai Airways International announced a reduction of domestic flight frequency between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son throughout June 2002 due to low market and traffic demand during this period. THAI decided to reduce flight operations on the route between Chiang Mai (CNX) and Mae Hong Son (HGN) from three to twice daily which are scheduled as follows: Flight             Route                     Time TG190     CNX - HGN         10:00 - 10:35 TG191     HGN - CNX         11:10 - 11:45 TG196     CNX - HGN         15:55 - 16:30 TG197     HGN - CNX         17:05 - 17:40 THAI utilises B737-400 aircraft with capacity of 149-passenger seats on this route.  The airline assures all passengers that its commitment to provide regular and convenient services  to Mae Hong Son remain unchanged. For more information please contact THAI’s 24- hour Reservation at Tel: 0-2628-2000 and 0-2280-0060. Back to index...

Catering Services organised a bidding for raw materials for meals preparation June 5, 2002, the Catering Services Department of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited organised a bidding for raw materials for meals preparation, which was chaired by the department's managing director, Pismai Chandrubeksa, at Rak Khun Tao Fah Building, on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. The main objective is to ensure good governance for procurement of raw materials for THAI and that the airline receives high-quality raw materials for meals served on board THAI flights as well as those for customer airlines, airport restaurants and other catering activities. The move is also to comply with the government's policy to promote the use of local raw materials and support small-scale suppliers. Currently, 70 per cent of the materials used by THAI Catering Services are local products. The bidding included 57 groups of raw materials, which are divided into 418 categories. The main objectives of this bidding are: 1. To ensure that the raw materials are of high standard and quality in accordance with the company's procedures for a maximum benefit of customers and passengers 2. To select suppliers that meet the company's requirements. The random sampling and receiving procedures must meet international standards. 3. The procurement must bring mutual benefit for both THAI and suppliers. Adjustments have been made to THAI specifications in order to ensure fairness and the highest benefit for all parties as follows: - THAI added a mixed-size vegetables and fruits category instead of the previously specified size in order to select appropriate raw materials for different types of meal preparation - Bidding for limes will take place separately as it is a seasonal item. - The eligible suppliers are required to have at least 500,000 Baht registered capital instead of 1 million Baht. - All suppliers will be informed of the results at the same time During the one-day process, a briefing was conducted for the suppliers as well as a demonstration of the raw materials required for meals production. The bidding took place in the afternoon. Inspection of raw materials' quality, location and interview is scheduled to take place later and the selection will be announced on 29 July. According to Pismai Chandrubeksa, the bidding would help reduce costs and boost the image of THAI among the public, while operating in support of the government's policy "One Tambon One Product" project. Back to index...

Star Alliance™ welcomes Asiana, LOT and Spanair to its roster of world class airlines – carriers to join over the next 12 months Shanghai, June 1, 2002 -- The Chief Executive Board of Star Alliance, assembled in Shanghai in The People’s Republic of China for its ordinary semi-annual CEB meeting, today approved the addition of three new members to the global airline group. Work will commence immediately on the integration of Asiana Airlines of South Korea, LOT Polish Airlines and Spanair of Spain into Star Alliance. No official date has yet been set for the official entry into Star Alliance of the new member airlines. It is anticipated, however, that they will all become part of the airline network for Earth“ within the next six to 12 months. We are proud that Asiana, LOT and Spanair have chosen to join Star Alliance, the Chief Executive Board said in a statement. They will add further strength and quality to our worldwide route network by increasing its global reach and thereby its customer value. With the addition of Asiana, LOT and Spanair we have taken another important step in the development of Star Alliance as the world’s premiere airline alliance, the chief executives added. Asiana is excited to join Star Alliance, the leading airline alliance that will continue to shed new meaning and light to the airline business, said Chan Bup Park, President and Chief Operating Officer of Asiana. By working closely with Star Alliance members in the Northeast and Southeast Asian markets Asiana will become a great asset to the alliance, providing an extended network that will significantly benefit customers and Star Alliance. Jan Litwinski, President and CEO of LOT said, We are extremely happy that the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board today accepted our application for membership in this truly global airline network. I am convinced that the values LOT will bring to Star Alliance will benefit customers as well as the member carriers. Our membership in Star Alliance will connect Poland with the world and the world with Poland. We are delighted to further our valued airline partnerships by joining Star Alliance, said Gonzalo Pascual, President and Chairman of the Board of Spanair. After many years of successful cooperation with some of the world’s most prestigious airlines – all founding and current members of Star Alliance – we look forward to providing travelers in Spain with the enhanced recognition, benefits and global access they deserve. Today’s decision by the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board is an important milestone for Spanair that has been enthusiastically awaited by our customers, employees and shareholders as we complete the remaining steps to fulfill our role as Star Alliance’s member in Southern Europe, Pascual said. Asiana Airlines was established in 1988. It serves 61 destinations in 15 countries, including 14 cities in China, out of Seoul with a modern fleet of 64 aircraft. Asiana carried 12 million passengers last year. The airline employs more than 8,000 people. LOT Polish Airlines can look back upon a history that started in 1929. The airline serves 12 domestic and 49 international destinations out of Warsaw with a fleet of 51 aircraft. Some 3.2 million passengers were carried in 2001. LOT Polish Airlines has 4,355 employees. Spanair was set up in 1986 as a joint venture between Star Alliance member SAS Scandinavian Airlines and Teinver SA of Spain. The airline operates services to 25 destinations in mainland Spain, the Balearic and Canary Islands as well as internationally with a fleet of 49 aircraft. More than eight million passengers were carried by Spanair in 2001. The airline has 2,750 employees. Star Alliance was established in May, 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance. The member airlines are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways – ANA, Austrian Airlines, bmi british midland, Lauda Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, Mexicana Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, Tyrolean Airways, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. The Star Alliance network serves 729 airports in 124 countries. Back to index...