| THAI
Announces Board Meeting Results
28 November 2001, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited held a Board of Directors’ Meeting, chaired by THAI’s Chairman and Acting President Mr. Virabongsa Ramangkura, with the following results: 1. Benefits to Board Members Following the resolution of THAI’s
Board of Directors’ Meeting 13/ 2001 on 26 October 2001, regarding
the benefits allowed to board members, today, THAI’s Board of Directors
has agreed to terminate the air ticket benefits granted to members’
spouse and children, in compliance with the Cabinet resolution, in accordance
with the benefits and privileges for the Board of Directors of all state
enterprises, as previously stated by THAI’s Board members are allowed to issue no more than 10 return domestic and 10 return international complimentary air tickets per year, to travel on THAI aircraft to destinations served by THAI. The allocation is only effective during THAI’s Board of Directors’ term of office. 2. Appointment of THAI’s Legal Consultant THAI’s Board has approved of the appointment of Mr. Wichian Wiriyaprasit, Attorney General, as THAI’s legal consultant, to support and provide legal guidance to THAI. The consultant will attend all Executive Management Meetings and Board of Directors’ Meetings. 3. Appointment of Management Selection Committee The Board has agreed to terminate the company regulation 50/ 2001 issued on 19 June 2001 regarding establishment of a Management Selection Committee, with a new committee being appointed as follows: 1. Mr. Virabongsa Ramangkura - Chairman Effective from 28 November 2001. 4. Appointment of Management Representatives
as Members of the Employee THAI’s Board of Directors has approved for THAI to appoint nine Management representatives to the Employee Relations Committee, selected from 19 candidates, to replace those whose terms of office have ended due to resignation, retirement and transfers. Those who have been appointed are as follows: 1. Executive Vice President, Human Resources
and General Administration 5. Appointment of Business Unit Managing Directors The Board has approved the further appointment of Managing Directors of Business Units, as the selecting committee proposed to THAI’s Board as follows: 1. Mr. Kawin Asvarchatroj THAI’s Board previously approved the appointment of Mr. Kobchai Srivilas as Managing Director, Technical Services, on 1 November 2001. 6. Investigation into Technical Repair Agreement for Pratt & Whitney PW4158 Engine The Board has approved the appointment of an investigation committee into the technical repair agreement for Pratt & Whitney PW4158 engine that was signed with SR Technics, committee members as follows: 1. Mr. Borwornsak Uwanno as Chairman Effective 28 November 2001. 7. Improvement of Inflight Entertainment
System and Seats & Products to THAI’s Board of Directors approved
plans to improve the airline’s inflight entertainment system and
seats, including improvements of products for added passenger inflight
comfort and convenience. These adjustments will be made to strengthen
THAI’s competitive edge in areas of products, services, and corporate
identity, to achieve THAI’s corporate vision as “The First
Choice: Smooth as Silk, First Time, The importance of improvement plans will be stressed for inflight products on routes or markets that have potential in areas of industry competition and profitability for the company. It was concluded that further product comparison studies must be conducted on other leading air carriers or those that are THAI’s direct competitors, to improve THAI’s competitive advantage in the area of service provision. In addition, importance was stressed on product life cycle and investment value. THAI plans to improve its inflight products,
as follows: THAI’s new product and service identity will be launched at the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport. 8. Purchase of Boeing 747-400 from Leasing Company THAI’s Board has approved the purchase of the second Boeing aircraft 747-400 from aircraft leasing company Emerald Wing Company Limited once the current agreement has expired on 22 March 2002, since the airline still has need for aircraft utilization. The aircraft has been used for 12 years and has an operating life of 20 years. Purchasing the aircraft from the aircraft leasing company will enable THAI to buy the airplane for less than the bid price, at approximately USD 21.15 million dollars. 9. Financial Results for 2000/ 2001 Fiscal Year THAI’s Financial Result for the
2000/ 2001 Fiscal Year (October 2000 – September 2001) was reported
to THAI’s Board of Directors, as follows. The decrease was mainly due to the relatively high cost of fuel in comparison to the cost in the previous year, resulting in an increase of 5,630 million baht in fuel expense. THAI also experienced a loss from the weakening of Thai baht as a result of foreign loan adjustment, causing a loss of 3,913 million baht in foreign exchange, an loss of 612 million baht more than in the same period last year. This resulted in a loss of net profit at 7,255.27 million baht. According to the State Enterprise Clause 115 for year 1992, THAI will not be able to issue dividends to shareholders as long as the company experiences accumulated loss in net profit. 10. Dissolution of Debt Management Subcommittee The Board has agreed to dissolve the Debt Management Subcommittee chaired by Mr. Vichit Suraphongchai and has approved for THAI’s Management to follow-up on debts owed to the airline accordingly, as the members of the subcommittee have conducted a thorough study into the details of debt collection as well as loans. It was found that 90 percent was current debt being handles as normal business transactions, but the remaining 10 percent was overdue, mainly from other airlines, for various services but especially international mail services. This requires immediate attention. 11. Appointment of THAI’s Long Term Planning Committee THAI’s Board of Directors has approved
the appointment of the airline’s Long Term Planning Committee,
to be chaired by Mr. Srisook Chandrangsu, THAI’s First Vice Chairman,
in order to establish the airline’s policies including investments
and additional routes. |
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THAI Announces Financial Results 2000/01 Thai Airways International Public Company Limited today announced a net profit of 1,929 million baht for the financial year 2000/01, from 1 October 2000 to 30 September 2001. Mr. Virabongsa Ramangkura, THAI's Chairman
and Acting President, announced a total The decrease was mainly due to the relatively high cost of fuel in comparison to the cost in the previous year, resulting in an increase of 5,630 million baht in fuel expense. THAI also experienced a loss from the weakening of Thai baht as a result of foreign loan adjustment, causing a loss of 3,913 million baht in foreign exchange, an loss of 612 million baht more than in the same period last year |
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THAI Announces Results of Executive Management Meeting Bangkok, 27 November 2001 – Thai Airways International Public Company Limited today held its Executive Management Meeting chaired by Mr.Virabongsa Ramangkura, THAI’s Chairman and Acting President, with following results: 1 Restructuring and renaming of the Finance and Information Department The management has agreed to the following: The Management has agreed to rename the
Finance and Information
According to THAI’s policy of market expansion and to increase the airline’s competitive edge in order to generate revenue for the company, the management has agreed to inaugurate a three-flight-weekly operation on the route between Bangkok and Chengdu, the People’s Republic Of China, utilizing the Boeing 737-400 aircraft. The operation of this route is expected to commence on 1 January 2002. Chengdu is a large city with various
tourist attractions. Its location also acts as a gateway into Tibet
and has become widely popular among travelers from Europe and America.
As for the environmental aspect, Chengdu has a sanctuary for Panda Bears,
which attracts attention especially from Thai and Japanese tourists.
It is expected that Chengdu will generate relatively high revenue for
THAI. According to the study 3. Bid for THAI’s Catering Excess The Management has agreed to allow a bidding process for the excess food from the catering function. THAI’s Catering Services Department has sent Letters of Intent to 20 companies informing them of the bidding process. This is in accordance with the company’s policy to increase revenue. 4. Appointment of Working Group to
oversee the contract-signing process The Management has agreed to appoint a working group to oversee the contract-signing process with Amadeus Global Travel Distribution, comprising the following: Mr. Wichit Suraphongchai – Chairman 5. Expansion of Puff & Pie The Management has agreed to the opening of two additional branches of THAI’s own bakery house Puff & Pie. The 24th branch of Puff & Pie will be opened at the Institute of Dermatology, Medical Department in Bangkok and the 25th branch at Patong Hospital in Phuket. Currently, Puff & Pie generates approximately 200 million baht annual revenue for THAI. Both branches are expected to operate with profit within 6 months of opening. 6. In-flight Duty free sales The Management has agreed to allow an open-bid process for the sale of in-flight duty free items from companies worldwide. Mr.Tasnai Sudasna, Executive Vice President Commercial has been appointed the Chairman of On-Board Duty Free Selection Committee in place of Mr. Suthep Suebsantiwongse, THAI’s Executive Vice President, Human Resources and General Administration Department. |
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| THAI
Supports Government’s Open Sky Policy
Bangkok, November 23, 2001-Today at THAI’s
Head Office, Mr. Wan Mohammad Nor Matha, Transport and Communications
Minister chaired a press conference to announce the government’s
open sky policy together with Mr. Supote Kumpeera, Director General
of the Department of Aviation, Mr. Virabongsa Ramangkura, THAI’s
Chairman and Acting Mr. Virabongsa Ramangkura, THAI’s
Chairman and Acting President, said that as the flag carrier, THAI has
served passengers on the trunk, secondary and auxiliary routes to domestic
destinations in order to enhance the mass transportation system of Thailand.
The Thai government’s domestic open sky policy gives smaller carriers
the In compliance with the government’s policy, the representatives met today to discuss the arrangements of flight operations, with the following results, which will take effect from November 28, 2001: 1. Lampang Province PB Air’s service:
PB Air’s service:
PB Air’s service: |
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| THAI
Announcement Concerning Flight TG176
Bangkok, 23 November 2001 ---- The Public Relations Office of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited made an announcement concerning the situation with THAI’s flight TG176. THAI’s flight TG176, operating on the route Bangkok – Phrae – Nan, utilising the ATR-72 aircraft, departed from Bangkok International Airport at 10.00 hours and arrived at the Phrae airport at 11.25 hours. The flight carried 4 crew members and a total of 66 passengers, 17 of which disembarked in Phrae and 49 were scheduled to disembark in Nan province. After the pilot had landed the aircraft safely at Phrae Airport, the pilot and ground handling staff found that one of the rear tyres was flat. A spare tyre had to be ordered from Chiang Mai. THAI’s Station Manager had arranged for road transport to transfer all the 49 passengers to Nan province. THAI’s flight TG176 had to remain
in Phrae and is scheduled to return to Bangkok as soon as the tyre has
been changed. |
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| THAI's
statement following Chairman's talk with staff
This statement is in response to the Bangkok Post article under the headline, "Airline in crisis, could go under" on November 16, 2001, which referred to the "Meet With THAI Chairman" briefing given by Mr. Virabongsa Ramangkura, THAI's Chairman and Acting President to staff. From this briefing, Bangkok Post quoted Mr. Virabongsa's statement, " If we continue managing the way we have, I can guarantee that in no more than three years, the company will collapse." In context, these words were followed by Mr. Virabongsa solution to the problem, and were intended to emphasize the necessity for change rather than a grim prediction for the future. In this regard, the Public Relations Office would like to clarify that the objective of this session was to inform and increase the awareness of all THAI staff of Mr. Virabongsa's objective of good governance in operating and managing THAI. The words used were intended to get attention rather than a literal statement, and this was clear in the context. In addition, this open discussion session provided the opportunity for all THAI staff to give their opinions and comments regarding his management and operations. Furthermore, Mr. Virabongsa will continue to have similar sessions on a monthly basis, yesterday being the first session. According to Mr. Virabongsa's policy, in order to manage THAI to achieve its full potential, he urged THAI's employees to conform the working culture and operating strategy. Without the proper solution and change, THAI could face severe difficulties within the next three years. He confirmed that THAI has no plan to lay off staff, but this means that there can be no new staff recruitment and budgets must be strictly controlled. The change to a structure of business units could make the organization more competitive, and offer incentives to employees who would be rewarded on a merit basis. |
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| THAI
Announces Results of Executive Management Meeting
Bangkok, 20 November 2001 – Thai Airways International Public Company Limited today held its Executive Management Meeting, chaired by Mr. Virabongsa Ramangkura, THAI’s Chairman and Acting President, with the following results: I. Chairman’s Annoucements to
the Management II. Per Diem for THAI Staff
Travelling Abroad On Duty III. Appointment of Risk Management
Consultant Committee V. THAI’s Policy Towards the
Hiring of Contract Labour VI.THAI’s Spokesperson and Appointment
of Deputy Spokesperson The management has agreed to appoint
Mrs. Sunathee Isvarphornchai, Director of the Public RelationsOffice,
as THAI’s Deputy Spokesperson. Mrs. Isvarphornchai will be responsible
for announcing to the public, including the press and media, news and
information as well as at press conferences. This position will
be reviewed once a new President is appointed. |
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| THAI
to Close Seven Off-line Offices in USA and Canada
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited will officially close seven off-line offices in North America and Canada on 15 November 2001. Following the terrorist attacks in the United States, many passengers have suspended travel plans to the U.S., which has affected the capacity of THAI’s daily flights to and from the United States. Therefore, THAI plans to close seven of its off-line offices namely Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, Washington D.C., New York and Toronto. Starting from 21 November 2001, THAI will reduce its flight frequency on the route Bangkok-Los Angeles v.v. from seven to six weekly services, except Wednesdays, via Japan (Narita and Osaka) utilizing Boeing 747-400. Passengers and customers in the United States and Canada who wish to contact THAI Offices may do so by contacting the following address and contact numbers: THAI’s Los Angeles
office |
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| THAI
Announces Results of Executive Management Meeting
Bangkok, 13 November 2001 - Thai Airways International Public Company Limited today held its Executive Management Meeting, chaired by Mr.Virabongsa Ramangkura, THAI's Chairman and Acting President, with the following results: I. Benefits for the Board Members The management will propose that the Board of Directors review such benefits as they are not in compliance with the Cabinet resolution on 28 August 2001, which stated the benefits allowed for state enterprise board members are as follows: 1. The benefits are applied only to the
member excluding companions and family members II. Appointment of Investigation Committee 1. Mr. Borwornsak Uwanno Member of THAI's
Board of Director
Since the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11th September, THAI's Board of Directors and Working Group have been monitoring the market situation as well as passenger and cargo movements on the routes operated by THAI in order to develop an appropriate flight timetable in accordance with demand. Today, the management meeting has approved the adjustments made to THAI's flight timetable as follows: 1. Change of flight frequencies on the
route Bangkok-Zurich 2. THAI will reduce its flight frequency on the route Bangkok - Los Angeles v.v. from seven to six weekly services. The cancellation applies to the flight, which departing from Bangkok on Wednesday, and take effect from 21 November 2001. 3. THAI will be utilizing the A300-600 aircraft on the route between Bangkok - Phnom Penh v.v., replacing some of the flights utilizing the Boeing 737-400 aircraft to better accommodate the cargo demand on this route 4. THAI will be holding a discussion with Japan Airlines to suspend the Friday operations of the flight under the code share agreement on the route between Bangkok - Nagoya v.v. |
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| THAI and PB Air Support
Open Sky Policy
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, PB Air Company Limited and the Department of Aviation recently met to discuss ways in which they may cooperate in response to the government’s domestic open sky policy. The Thai government has recently announced its strategy of domestic open sky policy in order to give small carriers opportunity to operate on domestic routes previously served by THAI on condition that there would be no reduction in flight frequencies and a maximum utilization of airport facilities. Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI’s Vice President, Sales and Distribution, said that THAI has been working closely with other Thai carriers with special emphasis on achieving maximum benefit for Thailand and the people. As the national carrier of the kingdom of Thailand, THAI is currently operating on the trunk, secondary and auxiliary routes within Thailand, and is the core organizer in the setting up of the Thai Travel Industry Alliance. Therefore, THAI has encouraged flight operations of the alliance partners on its secondary and auxiliary routes, aiming to promote the Thai tourism industry by using the existing travel and tourism resources to the fullest capacity to generate maximum benefit for the country. At the last meeting between THAI and PB Air, which is also one of the members in Thai Travel Industry Alliance, both airlines have agreed that THAI should maintain its flight operations on the trunk routes, while other domestic carriers can operate on the secondary and auxiliary routes in a form of joint cooperation. In compliance with the government policy, PB Air Company Limited has agreed to operate on some of THAI’s secondary and auxiliary routes. It is expected that at the end of November 2001, PB Air Company Limited will be able to begin its flight operations on the routes Bangkok-Lampang, Bangkok-Nakhon Phanom and Bangkok-Sakon Nakhon. In January 2002, PB Air will expand its flight operations to cover other domestic destinations namely Nan and Phetchabun. Captain Jothin Pamon-Montri, PB Air’s President, said he was certain that passengers would find the service convenient and of the same excellent standard as THAI. The flight operations of other domestic carriers on THAI’s secondary and auxiliary routes may commence only after an official announcement from the Ministry of Transport and Communications. |
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| THAI to Increase Domestic
Air Fare From 15 November 2001, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited will increase its domestic fares in compliance with government policy to standardize the fare rates for all domestic carriers. The Thai Civil Aviation Board (C.A.B.) has recently announced the open sky policy and set guidelines on air fares, enabling the privately-owned carriers to follow similar guidelines based on the following criteria:
Thai Airways International will increase domestic fares as follows:
For example, a one-way economy class
ticket on the route between Bangkok-Chiang Mai will be changed
from 1,870 baht to 2,170 baht while a one-way business class ticket
will be changed from 2,670 baht to 2,970 |
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| THAI
Launches New Public Transport Advertising Campaign in Germany
October 2001, ---- From October onwards,
the public on the streets of Berlin will enjoy the sight of its No.
100 double-decker buses being fully decorated with Thai Airways International’s
public transport advertising theme - Legendary service on the
way to Bangkok and Southeast Asia – introduced to promote Thailand’s
travel and tourism industry. |