Bangkok--25 Nov--Thai Airways
Ministry of Transport along with government agencies, business operators, airlines, and travel and tourism associations conducted a seminar on “Promoting Air Transport to Thailand — Silken Sky of Paradise,” a forum for discussing policies and directives related to air transport between Thailand and the People’s Republic of China.
The full-day seminar took place at Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel with the official opening presided by Mr. Suphoth Sublom, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Ministry of Transport of the Kingdom of Thailand, representing H.E. Sopon Zarum, Minister of Transport. Joining in the opening and in welcoming the 200 participants was Mr. Chokchai Panyayong, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Business Development of THAI and Chairman of the Organizing Sub-Committee for “Promoting Air Transport to Thailand — Silken Sky of Paradise.”
This special seminar brought invited guests, key media and travel operators from Thailand, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to exchange information and to find out about developments and conveniences for Chinese travelers through panel speakers. The program also included a market place where 70 of Thailand’s travel businesses and agencies set up booths for personal, face-to-face discussions with the delegates, to strengthen cooperation and ensure further development of the industry. Speaking at the event were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, government agencies, business operators, and travel and tourism associations.
Dr. Srisook Chandrangsu, Chairman, Business Turnaround and Air Transportation Development Committee of the Ministry of Transport, said that in 2009 due to Thailand having faced a number of obstacles, including airport closure the previous year, the Ministry of Transport spearheaded a Committee on accelerating the recovery of the aviation industry, promoting Thailand to be an aviation hub and tourism hub for the region. Hence, on 4 December 2009, the Committee held the first seminar of this kind, emphasizing tourists from China, because of the dramatic drop in Chinese tourists at the time although the Chinese market was growing quickly. Then with another political crisis in early 2010, the Committee decided there should also be a seminar held in 2010, with Thai Airways International as the organizer.
Mr. Suphoth Sublom, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Ministry of Transport, stated that in working toward accelerating the recovery of the aviation industry and driving Thailand to be an aviation hub, the seminar was a key step toward promoting air transport and boosting travelers from China, as this market was rapidly growing. Thailand has given much importance to promoting cooperation in trade and investments with China. Although the formal relationship between Thailand and China reached its 35th anniversary this past July, the relationship between Thailand and China has existed for centuries. Trade between the two countries grew steadily from 2005 to 2010, with investment reaching U.S.$1 billion. A significant number of tourists are travelers to and from Thailand and China, and continues to increase year after year. Statistics from the Department of Civil Aviation show there were 2,139,558 Chinese tourists traveling to Thailand from 2008 — 2010, indicating strong economic relations between the two countries.
THAI President, Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, said, “THAI’s long-standing relationship with travelers from China, Hong Kong and Taipei is renowned. Since our first flight in 1960 to Hong Kong and Taipei, we have only grown, and we have cherished the ever-growing Chinese travelers into and from Thailand, with 108 flights weekly to and from six airports between Thailand and China, 70 return weekly flights to and from Hong Kong, and 28 return flights to and from Taipei, for a total of 206 weekly flights. Hence, this seminar is important to bring all parties together to continue the development and foster continuous growth.
“In addition to THAI’s impressive weekly flight schedule, we are indeed proud to emphasize that THAI's top priority is safety through full compliance with aviation safety policies and standards, under international air transport regulatory authorities such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as well as policies of different countries. THAI was one of the first airlines to implement and use the ICAO Safety Management System (SMS), and has defined our goal in safety as “Zero Accidents.” In the product and service areas, from our customers and business partners, THAI has received numerous recognition, awards and accolades for Best First Class Lounge, Best Airport Services, Top Ten Cabin Services, Top Ten Airline, Best Southeast Asian Airline, Best Business Class, to name a few."
Mr. Serirat Prasutanong, President of Airports Authority of Thailand, said, “Chinese tourists are the third largest group to visit Thailand, and there is indication that this figure could steadily increase. The AOT has updated the airport informational and directional signage to include Chinese language for easy way finding around the airport, as well as developed airport brochures in Chinese language. Also, on the airport planning side, the AOT has started its second phase of airport development and expansion project, from 2011 to 2016, for increasing the current airport capacity at 45 million passengers per year to be 60 million passengers per year.”
Bangkok Airways Managing Director, Mr. Puttipong Prasatthong-osoth, said, “It is an honor to be a part of the welcome we extend to all of our guests from China to this seminar, and to wish the best outcome from the seminar.” He also announced that Bangkok Airways would commence operating two flights per week from Bangkok to Guilin, China in the first quarter of 2011. “We have recently started operating from Hong Kong to Phuket, and in the near future we plan to form an alliance with Chinese carriers for better cooperation. I wish the best outcome for this seminar.”
M.L. Bovornovadep Devakula, AirAsia’s Director of Business Affair, stated, “After the successful direct route from Bangkok to Shenzhen and Guangzhou, with an 80% cabin capacity per flight, AirAsia is confident in fostering economic stimulus between Thailand and China. That is why we have laid out an aggressive plan for expanding into China, starting with the route from Bangkok to Hangzhou, starting in early 2011. An advantage we have being a low cost airline is that we have all new aircraft in our fleet, including the fleet of our subsidiaries, making flying with AirAsia possible for everyone.”
Along with the Ministry of Transport, the associations and businesses sponsoring the event include Thai Airways International, Airports of Thailand, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, King Power Duty Free, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Association of Thai Travel Agents, Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association, Airline Operators Committee, State Railway of Thailand, Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, the Department of Civil Aviation, and AEROTHAI.