Three new destinations; three new discoveries. Continents apart, and as diverse as any can be, yet each one thrilling in its own style and manner. In deed, Thai Airways in keeping up with our rapidly changing world is adding three new destinations as well as rerouting and increasing flights for the new summer timetable starting 28 March to 30 October 2004. The new destinations are Milan in Italy, Jinghong (Xixongpanna) in China, and Bangalore in India.

And what are these three destinations” And why are they so important to THAI.

Milan, Italy, just the name itself sounds romance, and, of course, it is—romantic. But it’s more than romance that has beckoned THAI’s call. On the business side of it, Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, said that the addition of these new destinations and the new changes in schedules are in line with the expansion of the investment market as well as the increasing demand for business and leisure travel.

The Bangkok to Milan has two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Fridays, utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft, and started operation on 1 May, 2004.

The second destination, Bangkok to Bangalore has four weekly flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and utilizes Airbus 300-600 aircraft. This service started 29 March 2004.

And finally, the third destination is from Bangkok to Jinghong (Xixongpanna) in China, with two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Fridays, utilizing ATR 72 aircraft. This new service started on 31 March 2004. Jinghong, which is located in the south of Yunnan province, P.R. China, is considered the gateway linking southern China to Southeast Asia. Furthermore, it is a member of the Greater Mekong Subregion which comprises Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and China. Jinghong is therefore an important city for the economy, tourism and transport for the Sub region. Jinghong is the centre for research and development of plants and animals of Yunnan province, with tropical plants from all over the world, as well as a variety of tourist attractions and scenery.

Another new route, but not a new destination, is from Bangkok to Bahrain and on to Kuwait with three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, utilizing Airbus 300-600 aircraft.

THAI has increased its frequencies from Bangkok to London with one additional day flight bringing the total to six weekly flights, utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft. THAI also operates seven weekly night flights, bringing the total number to 13 weekly flights which started 1 May 2004.

Adding to the frequencies is Bangkok to Munich with one additional flight utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft bringing the total number to six weekly flights which also started 1 May 2004

Other interesting news for the Asian traveller is the announcement that THAI also launched new a budget carrier called “Nok,” the Thai word for bird. It’s a new joint venture involving Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), which officially became Thailand's third budget airline carrier under the name Nok. SkyAsia said it would provide special service which would differentiate it from other budget carriers. Initially, the airline plans to fly to six destinations including Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Phitsanulok, Phuket and Hat Yai.

THAILAND AND BEYOND brought you the news about THAI’s new destination in Milan; in the coming weeks we will tell readers about Jinghong and Bangalore—so stay tuned.

Harold Stephens
Bangkok
e-mail: booking@inet.co.th 

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