On 2nd November 1973, a Thai Airways International DC8-62 jet liner took off from Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport on a journey that was to set a record in the history books of international civil aviation, and thus began a new age of aviation. The DC8 was an ultra long-range fan-jet aircraft, and the flight was to Frankfurt, Germany. The introduction of this flight meant the opening by THAI of their non-stop service from Thailand to Europe, and at the same time, setting up the only one-stop service between Europe and Australia with a flying time of less than 21 hours.

The inauguration of the Bangkok-Frankfurt service was a farsighted crystal ball preparation by Thai Airways. Before this, the only flight THAI ran to Europe was a joint flight operated together with SAS on the route Copenhagen-Bangkok with stops in between. But THAI saw that in 1973 German prosperity was on the rise. Records showed that over 22 million Germans were taking holidays with more than half travelling abroad. They travelled mostly to Mediterranean destinations, and only 13% by air.

Thailand before this was no more than a dream destination to most Germans. Those who did come visited only Bangkok in the winter months between November and March. Most other destinations were only for a small elite group. Names like Phuket or Koh Samui were largely unknown. And even Pattaya was still a small fishing village. Up to this point nobody had any real idea how tourism from Germany to Thailand would develop.

Then THAI made the move.

On November 27, 1973, THAI’s first aircraft approached Germany from Bangkok and departed Frankfurt to Thailand the following day.

Exactly thirty years later, Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, held a gala reception to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Bangkok- Frankfurt connection at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Frankfurt, Germany. “I am very proud of the vision of THAI’s Management thirty years ago in selecting Frankfurt as the first direct Bangkok to Europe flight, positioning it at the heart of our European operations,” he said to the gathering with great pride.

And, in deed, pride it is that THAI made that early move. They called it the "Royal Orchid Express", the first non-stop route from Europe to South East. On board were many invited guests, including the then mayor of Frankfurt, Rudi Arndt, and his wife. It was a special occasion for Mrs. Arndt in another way—it was her very first flight.

There is no doubt that Thai Airways had a great influence on the development of tourism to Asia. From the very beginning THAI had set itself the goal of developing Thailand into a "premium destination" and has with its commitment driven forward the expansion of tourism to Asia as a whole.

But this is only one side of the coin. THAI had now to convince its customers in Southeast Asia that Germany had something to offer tourists. It wasn’t difficult to do. The choice of Frankfurt was a wise one. There’s a saying that all road lead to Rome. Those who visit Frankfurt might say that all roads lead to Frankfurt. The city has Europe's second largest airport and largest passenger railway station, and it is also a major crossroads of the continent's main motorway arteries. Overview

For many, Frankfurt is primarily "Mainhattan," city of finance and skyscrapers, but a closer look reveals a metropolis of many charms: The picturesque houses of the beautifully restored Römerberg in the city centre and the unique "Museum Mile" along the banks of the Main river. Traditional cider pubs in Sachsenhausen, shops galore in the elegant Goethestrasse and the "Fressgass"—and a truly world-class cultural and arts scene.

Frankfurt is a city for art lovers. The Museum Embankment, a unique collection of 13 museums along both sides of the Main river, has rightfully earned Frankfurt a worldwide reputation as a major centre of the arts. In all, the city has over 40 museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Kunsthalle Schirn (art), the Städelsches Kunstinstitut (art) and the German Cinema Museum.

Frankfurt is also an ideal base for short sightseeing trips - for example by public transport in to the nearby Taunus Mountains and Odenwald Forest, or by train (1 hour to Heidelberg). Or enjoy a day trip on the river to the romantic Rhine.

During its first year, THAI offered one weekly flight to Frankfurt, utilizing DC-8-62 aircraft. In 1974, THAI increased its flight frequency to two flights per week and the following year up to three. Tourists from Germany arriving in Thailand are the second largest group of international passengers originating from the European market, with more than 400,000 THAI passengers traveling to and from Germany in 2002/03.

Currently, THAI operates to 73 cities in 34 countries covering four continents with a fleet of 83 aircraft. Annually, about 20 million passengers fly with THAI. During its winter schedule 2003/2004, THAI offers 16 weekly non-stop flights between Germany and Bangkok.