Thai Airways

Thai Airways 50 years of golden journey

The year 2010 marks the 50th Anniversary of the founding of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) as the national airline of the Kingdom of Thailand. This is, therefore, an appropriate time for celebrations and to reflect on a proud history of service and achievement.

During this past half-century, THAI has projected the flag and prestige of the nation, as a flying ambassador around the world. It has played a vital role in the development of Thailand’s dynamic economy, promoting tourism and trade worldwide and making a major contribution to the commercial and social welfare of the nation.  It has also helped to establish Bangkok as the leading aviation hub of Southeast Asia.
The history of THAI over the past 50 years has been a story of rapid growth and success almost unparalleled in the international aviation industry. When, on the morning of May 1st 1960, THAI’s first flight  took off from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport bound for Hong Kong, Taipei and Tokyo, few could have visualised that, by 2010, THAI would have a fleet of 85 jetliners and carry almost 20 million passengers and 500,000 tonnes of air cargo, annually.
Initially, THAI operated a purely regional service from Bangkok to just nine Asian cities. Today, its route network extends to over 70 destinations across five continents.
Among THAI’s greatest strengths are its extensive coverage of key business and leisure destinations throughout Asia and its high-frequency operations to 13 major European cities. THAI is also the predominant carrier—via its strategically-located home base in Bangkok—in operating ‘gateway’ services to key destinations within the Mekong region countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, South China and Myanmar; a vitally important function in aiding the development of those emerging economies. THAI also has a major commitment to boosting air links for the promotion of trade and tourism between Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, with services to 15 destinations throughout India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
THAI has received many international awards throughout its history. Of some 260 carriers operating around the world, THAI regularly appears among the top ten in research carried out by leading travel magazines and Internet sites. The most recent of these accolades include being voted ‘Best Southeast Asian Airline’ by readers of both Global Traveler and TTG Asia magazines, and THAI being placed among the top ten world airlines by Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific, and online surveys carried out by Skytrax and SmartTravelAsia.com

THAI: Catering to the w

» Back to Listing