Flg. Off. Apinan Sumanaseni, President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, and Mr. Pandit Chanapai, THAI’s Executive Vice President for Commercial Department, presided over a press conference announcing special projects introduced to the traveling public during the company’s 48th anniversary.

THAI was established on 1 May 1960 as the national carrier of the Kingdom of Thailand, with a fleet of three aircraft serving nine regional destinations out of Bangkok and carried approximately 83,000 passengers in its first year of operation.   In THAI’s 48th year, the company will carry over 20 million passengers to 76 destinations across five continents in a fleet of 83 aircraft.  THAI’s corporate strategy in seeking to be the first choice carrier, can be summed up simply as “High Trust and World Class with a Thai Touch.”  It is a combination that is ideally suited to THAI’s vision, reflecting what the airline stands for and the way it seeks to present itself to the world.

During the company’s 48th anniversary, THAI will focus on projects and activities enhancing environmental awareness policy and emphasizing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), those being as follows:

1. Environmental Awareness

Projects have been initiated to support and create increased awareness amongst the company’s employees in the areas of environmental awareness and climate change, details as follows.

• THAI Plants Life for Planet Earth
The company’s “THAI Plants Life for Planet Earth” project continues THAI’s reforestation efforts at the Education Center for the development of Hui Sai in Cha-am district, Petchburi province.  Water tanks will be provided to the center, for the transport of water used in further developing forest area.  (The project will be conducted for the first time on 24 May 2008 and the second time on 14 June 2008.)

• Reforestation in the Heart to Decrease Climate Change
The “Reforestation in the Heart to Decrease Climate Change” project was initiated for youngsters to learn about and understand the importance of the forest, by attending camps at the Education Center of Hui Sai in Cha-am district, Petchburi province.  THAI employees’ children will be invited to attend these camps.  The company will sponsor expenses that go towards building bathing and restroom areas used in this project, during the period August 2008.
• Boost Employee Awareness of Environmental and CSR Efforts
A mobile exhibition and various activities will be conducted at the company’s various buildings, during the period May 2008 onwards.  This project was initiated in order to
boost employee awareness of environmental and CSR efforts as a part of the THAI organization, jointly working to decrease CO² emissions in the airline industry.

• Purchase of Raw Materials Based on Good Agricultural Practice (GAP)
The Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) project was initiated by THAI’s Catering Services Department, which has been conducted for six consecutive years.  Raw materials are purchased directly from the farming community through this project, which supports farmers to develop a production system that is environmentally friendly. 

• Encourage Employees to Participate in the Company’s Alternative Energy Project
This project was initiated to boost THAI employee participation in the company’s alternative energy project to produce biodiesel.  Employees are encouraged to collect vegetable oil that has been used in meal preparation and send it to the company’s catering unit that will recycle it into biodiesel, which will be developed into a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project.

2. Corporate Social Responsibility

Projects have been initiated to enhance employee awareness to contribute towards society and corporate social responsibility projects, as follows.

• THAI Cabin Crew Help Society
This activity supports cabin crew’s display of corporate social responsibility by donating 100 baht per flight flown.  The funds will go towards charitable purposes and constructing the “Rak Khun Tao Fah” Room for patients at the Somdej Phra Theparatana Building, Rama Thibodi Hospital. 

• THAI Volunteers for Society
This project was initiated for THAI employees to volunteer their time and efforts for the benefit of society, for example teaching underprivileged children to draw, teaching English to the blind, and escort travel on airplanes for the elderly. 

• Children’s Day During THAI’s 48th Anniversary
Underprivileged children will continue to be given the opportunity to fly on board THAI’s flights, boosting their spirits, interest areas, and dreams to pursue a career in the airline industry. 

Mr. Pandit Chanapai, THAI’s Executive Vice President for Commercial Department, said that during the past 48 years, THAI’s customers have been the most important people for the company and are at the heart of its success.  On this occasion, THAI would like to thank all its customers for their contribution and support by offering special promotional deals at the Smooth as Silk Day that will be held during 26 April – 2 May 2008 at Siam Paragon Department Store.

At the Smooth as Silk Day event, customers will discover special THAI ticket sales to all destinations around the world.  Tickets from Bangkok to/from Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Beijing, Seoul, Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City and more in Economy Class is offered at 4,800 baht.  Those traveling to New York may have a chance to get tickets at 48,000 baht in Premium Economy Class. This special offer is provided for 48 tickets per day, on a first come first serve basis.

In addition, THAI’s products and services, such as Puff & Pie, ThaiShop, special air fares, and Royal Orchid Holidays will be promoted.  The “THAI Value Gift Card”, a cash card will be sold at the event, and this gift card may be used towards the purchase of a THAI air ticket. With four cards in pack, each card is redeemable to the value of 4,800 baht with chances to win tickets to experience four world class events: Cirque du soleil show in Japan, Wimbledon 2008 in England, Night Formula 1 in Singapore and New Year Countdown in USA together with special privileges from THAI and THAI’s partner extended to customers. THAI Value Gift Card will be available at THAI sales offices nationwide from April 2006 until April 2009.

• Sawasdee’s New Look
THAI’s inflight magazine “Sawasdee” Smooth as Silk has been launched with a new look, marking the company’s 48th anniversary.  The new look of “Sawasdee” has been introduced in two languages, Thai and English, available on board THAI’s domestic and international flights as one publication.

• “Keep the World Beautiful” Advertising Campaign
THAI will introduce a new advertising campaign to mark its 48th anniversary, based on the theme “Keep the World Beautiful,” as an international campaign concerning its routenet worldwide.  This campaign shows how THAI has taken tourists to various destinations around the globe, with the message to invite the world’s flying public to join in the move to play an active role in environmental conservation so that these beautiful destinations may remain to be enjoyed by future generations.