THAI Introduces New Ground Support Equipment 9 July 2004, at the Ground Support Equipment Services Department, Bangkok International Airport, Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited presided over the introduction of THAI's new ground support equipment which aims to enhance passengers' and airline customers' convenience with high quality equipment. Mr. Abhiradee said that THAI's Ground Support Equipment Services Department has acquired new ground support equipment to maximize passengers' and airline customers' satisfaction. The new equipment includes: 1. Passenger Buses For transfer of passengers between the parking bays and passenger terminals, total 20. 2. Wide Bridge Lower Loader For transfer pallets in and out of the aircraft compartment of wide body aircraft, total 23. 3. Transporter For transfer of pallets to and from the wide bridge lower loader, total 21. 4. Air Condition Unit Used to air condition the aircraft cabin when the aircraft's internal air conditioning system is not in use, total 7. 5. Passenger Step Vehicle To serve passengers during aircraft embarkation and disembarkation, total 19. 6. Conveyor Belt For conveyance of commercial goods in and out of the aircraft compartment of narrow body aircraft and individual packages, in and out of wide body aircraft, total 17. Back to index..

THAI Holds Aircraft Anointing Ceremony 6 July 2004, at 09.29 hrs., Somdej Phra Buddhajarn Abbot of Wat Sraket, Committee of the Sangha Supreme Council, presided over the anointing ceremony of two Thai Airways International Public Company Limited aircraft: two Boeing 747-400 aircraft, at the Domestic Terminal, Bangkok International Airport. Present during the ceremony will be Mr. Thanong Bidaya, THAI's Chairman of the Board and members of the airline's Management. The two 389-seater Boeing 747-400 aircraft, registered as HS-TGZ and HS-TGA, was royally bestowed the name "Phimara" and "Srisuriyothai" by His Majesty the King respectively and powered by GE engines. The aircraft accommodates 14 seats in Royal First Class, 50 seats in Royal Executive Class, and 325 seats in Economy Class with full facilities and comfort for passengers. Seats in Royal First Class recline up to 180 degrees and those in Royal Executive Class feature personal in-seat videos, allowing greater passenger privacy and convenience. THAI currently has a total 81 aircraft in its fleet, comprised of 42 Boeing, 33 Airbus, 4 MD-11, and 2 ATR aircraft. Back to index..

THAI to Manage Chittagong Airport Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced that it has received approval from the Bangladeshi Cabinet to manage Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport, in Chittagong, Bangladesh, for a period of 10 years. Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI's President, said that the Bangladeshi Cabinet had awarded THAI the contract to manage the airport in Chittagong, Bangladesh for the next 10 years. THAI is currently in the process of concluding contract negotiations with the airport's current management, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). Mr. Abhiradee said that the airline's corporate strategy is to develop profitable business units related to the airline's core business, yet these businesses would be operated separately. THAI holds much expertise in the area of providing airline services for customer airlines operating to and from Bangkok International Airport, those being catering, passenger check-in, ground handling, cargo handling, and technical services. THAI will also be providing these airline services to air carriers operating to and from Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport. THAI anticipates that this will be a profitable venture for the airline. THAI will be responsible for collecting airport landing fees and related tariffs on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, in addition to other aspects of airport management and coordination with air carriers operating to and from the airport in Chittagong. As well, THAI has expressed an interest in managing other international airports in other countries, such as those located in China and Myanmar. THAI currently operates three flights per week on the route Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Chittagong v.v. on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, utilizing Airbus 300-600 aircraft. The onward flight departs Bangkok at 1025 hours and arrives in Chittagong at 1300 hours (local time), with the return flight departing Chittagong at 1355 hours (local time) and arriving in Bangkok at 1830 hours. Back to index..