Thai Airways International Launches Direct Service Tokyo - Chiang Mai

Mr. Suwat Tantipat, Governor of Chiang Mai, presided over a welcome ceremony Sunday to celebrate Thai Airways International’s inaugural flight between Narita and Chiang Mai at Chiang Mai International Airport.

To mark this special occasion, THAI invited the Thai Ambassador to Tokyo, Mr. Kasit Piromya, THAI’s travel agents, as well as Japanese media to join the first flight and visit the city of Chiang Mai from 26 - 29 October 2003.

Mr. Tantipat said that he was confident that THAI’s direct services between the two cities would create more commercial, tourism industry, and cultural exchange between people of the two countries.

Mr. Chaiwat Chanapai, THAI’s Vice President Western Sales and Distribution Department added that THAI began operating thrice weekly services as of 26 October 2003 onwards between Tokyo and Chiang Mai in accordance with the Government’s policy to turn Chiang Mai into the future Northern Aviation Hub of Thailand, with flights operated every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday,  utilizing Boeing 777-200 aircraft, with capacity of 55 seats in business class and 303 seats in economy class.

THAI also plans to expand its services between Chiang Mai and other countries in the region, such as Singapore, China, Myanmar, Chittagong in Bangladesh, India, Taiwan, Pukarm, Yanggon, Chiang Ruang, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Mandalay, and Chengdu. For this winter scheduled, THAI will also launches flight’s operation between Chiang Mai – Luang Prabang, Taipei-Hong Kong-Chiang Mai-Bangkok, and Chiang Mai-Yangon.