THAI Celebrates its 46th Anniversary
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited held a press conference on the occasion of the company’s 46th anniversary and held a fashion show displaying THAI’s new uniform. Presiding over the press conference at THAI’s Head Office was Mr.
Somchainuk Engtrakul, THAI’s Member of the Board of Directors Acting as President, Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI’s Executive Vice President for Commercial, and Mr. Kobchai Srivilas, THAI’s Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning and Information Technology Services Department. Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul, THAI’s Member of the Board of Directors Acting as President, said that 1 May 2006 is the 46th anniversary of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited. THAI was established in 1960 based on a registered capital of merely 2 million baht and has increased capital regularly through to present. THAI has a paid-up capital of 16,988,961,500 baht with the Ministry of Finance as the majority shareholder. The company has a total fleet of 82 aircraft, operating flights to over 70 destinations: 11 domestic destinations and 60 international destinations, and has over 26,000 employees worldwide. During fiscal year 2005 (October 2004 – September 2005), THAI achieved a total revenue of 162,488 million baht and a net profit of 6,777 million baht, which amounts to a net profit per share of 4.0 baht. When compared to the same period last year, the total revenues from the sale of goods and the rendering of services increased 9,885 million baht or 6.5 percent. The company increased production by introducing new destinations to expand its network reach and increased flight frequency to accommodate more passengers. Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI’s Executive Vice President for Commercial, spoke about the company’s marketing plans, stating that THAI will emphasize service provision based on international distribution from Star Alliance, service, and competitive pricing in a competitive regional aviation business environment. This is accomplished by utilizing a sales and marketing strategy and more market segmentation that increases service value and creates customer satisfaction, while reducing unnecessary cost. Furthermore, the company has a competitive commercial plan, which includes competing with the low cost carrier market. THAI will stress strengthening international routes, those being Asia, Australia, Europe, and America. In Europe, destinations emphasized are London, Frankfurt, and Paris, and adjusted flights on European routes such as Milan, Munich, Athens, Moscow. On Australian routes, the company has made adjustment to operate direct flights, those reflecting on Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Auckland. In addition, routes will be adjusted to support flight connections in Europe. As for America, the company emphasizes strengthening direct flights routed Bangkok-New York and Bangkok-Los Angeles, with 6 direct non-stop flights per week, respectively. THAI will aggressively expand in India, China, and Japan, with an increase in frequencies to existing markets: Madras, Bangalore, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. In addition the company has implemented its THAI Grand Season Campaign 2006, in celebration of His Majesty the King’s 60th anniversary of reign, which consists of: Star Alliance Visit Thailand Campaign 2006, ROH Grand Bangkok Stopover, ROH Grand Homecoming, ROH Grand Corporate Travel, ROH Beijing & Bangkok, Double Your Holiday Pleasure, Grand Corporate Meeting and Incentive, and Bangkok Pleasure Paradise. Mr. Kobchai Srivilas, THAI’s Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning and Information Technology Services Department, said that THAI has played a role in developing Thailand as the “aviation hub of the Asian and Southeast Asian region” through migration of its operations and investment in various activities at Suvarnabhumi Airport, based on a total investment of over 15,000 million baht for THAI’s six main activities, including Cargo and Mail Commercial, Catering, Ground Support Equipment Services, Aircraft Maintenance Center, Customer Service and Operations Center. The move to the new airport ensures that all services are effectively provided with the highest standards of quality and safety in order to achieve maximum customer satisfaction. Customer Services emphasizes full service, ranging from reservations, ticketing, service for passengers in need of special assistance and care, in addition to passenger lounges throughout the airport, for maximum passenger convenience. Cargo and Mail Commercial has an specified storage area for items such as vegetables, fruit, fresh produce, and goods that must be refrigerated, to retain freshness while waiting to be shipped. In addition, it is situated in a customs free zone, which is convenient for transfer of shipment, especially goods that pass through borders due to being free of customs procedures before transporting goods out of the area. Catering Services features the most modern catering facility in Asia, with the ability to produce more than 85,000 meals per day. In addition, new modern, computerized equipment has been installed at the new flight kitchen, to be utilized in meal production through to cleaning and storage of materials used in catering. Ground Support Equipment Services has improved standards of service-related resources and equipment to better serve the new airport, in the area of ground support and ramp handling equipment used in transferring passengers and baggage to and from the terminal and the airplane. Aircraft Maintenance Center has the largest aircraft maintenance hangar in Asia and Southeast Asia, at 24,300 square meters, capable of accommodating three large aircraft simultaneously, such as the Airbus A380. Operations Center is the operational center for various functions throughout all of activities located at the new airport, with modern information systems installed for communication between offices in the provinces and overseas, facilitating quick response and increased quality. Furthermore, the company arranged a fashion show displaying the new uniform that was designed by the fashion designer Pichitra Boonyarataphan, featuring three types of uniforms: cabin attendants’ uniforms, ground staff uniforms, and other functions that include those worn by staff under the Commercial Department and Corporate Communications Department. The new uniforms were designed to reflect a merge towards new corporate identity and new aviation horizons, using the same color of cloth material for all groupings, with the difference being in design detail based on suitability for each group and its usage. All materials used in production and manufacture are made in Thailand. Also featured during the fashion show was the company’s air crew uniform, worn by captains and co-pilots, which were designed by THAI’s Operations Department. Throughout the past 46 years, THAI has remained proud to serve as national carrier and takes pride in representing Thailand internationally. THAI is proud to have attained worldwide recognition by the traveling public and aims to continually develop and make improvements for maximum passenger satisfaction in all areas.