Bangkok--2 Jul--AirAsia
The Ministry of Culture has joined hands with AirAsia, Thailand’s largest low-cost carrier and the World’s Best Low Cost Airline, to add to the benefits of National Artists with air transit support along its extensive network of destinations, on its fleet of new planes, so they may showcase their talents across the country and Asia.
Culture Minister Mrs. Sukumol Khunploem has announced her ministry’s cooperation with Thai AirAsia to provide air travel to the country’s National Artists in a bid to aid them in performing their missions of creating, disseminating and exchanging their cultural contributions in order to increase the economic value of art and culture in Southeast Asia and beyond. Both organizations have witnessed the importance of spreading Thai culture and showcasing Thailand’s National Artists, be they from the disciplines of literature, architecture, the performing arts or visual arts, to the international community. Both note that the National Artists are the Kingdom’s connection to the past and their works serve to enrich society. The ministry and AirAsia will soon hold an MOU signing ceremony to officially begin the air travel support of Thailand’s National Artists.
Mrs. Sukumol stated that the MOU will be in effect for one year from the day of its signing but may be extended upon the agreement of both her ministry and AirAsia. The main agenda of the memorandum will be outlining the seating quota for National Artists to fly on Thai AirAsia both domestically and internationally without any cost. The individuals will be given the privilege whether traveling in their capacities of National Artist or for personal matters. Presently, Thailand has named 30 National Artists for Literature, 7 for Architecture, 66 for performing arts and 25 for visuals arts, for a total of 128.
Thai AirAsia CEO, Mr. Tassapon Bijleveld, commented that AirAsia is very pleased to be able to take part in supporting Thailand’s rich culture by aiding its National Artists. He expressed confidence that AirAsia’s extensive network of flight destinations and over 160 daily flights both domestic and international, coupled with plans to further add destinations in China and India, will allow Thailand’s National Artists to greatly extend their reach.
“Most importantly, because AirAsia uses a completely new fleet of Airbus A320s for all of its flights, our National Artists can be sure that their travels will always be comfortable”.