On 1 May 2010, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a re-creation of its first historic flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong, and a religious ceremony, which included alms-giving to 51 monks from all over the country, attended by Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, Thai’s President, at Thai’s Head Office in Bangkok. 

Thai’s historic flight on 01 May 1960 marked the beginning of a blossoming path not only for the airline, but also for the tourist industry in the region. Thai opened up new paths for the then unknown destinations such as Bali and Kathmandu, and quickly grew into an internationally-recognized carrier transporting passengers and cargo across five continents.

Mr Manan Boonyachai, General Manager UAE & Middle East, commented: “We are also celebrating this auspicious anniversary in the Middle East, where Thai is offering 50% discount on selected Royal Orchid Holidays hotel packages within Thailand and beyond until 30 June 2010.”

During the past 50 years, Thai has projected the flag and prestige of the nation as a flying ambassador around the world. Thai has played a vital role in the development of Thailand’s dynamic economy, promoting tourism and trade worldwide and making a major contribution to Thailand’s commercial and social welfare. The Company also helped to establish Bangkok as the leading aviation hub of Southeast Asia.

On the morning of May 1st 1960, Thai’s first flight on a Douglas DC-6B aircraft, took off from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport with 60 passengers bound for Hong Kong, Taipei and Tokyo. 

“At that time” continued Mr Boonyachai “few could have visualised that, by 2010, Thai would have a fleet of 84 jetliners and carry almost 20 million passengers and 500,000 tons of air cargo annually.”

Initially, Thai operated a purely regional service from Bangkok to just nine Asian cities. Today, Thai’s route network extends to over 70 destinations across five continents.  As Thai enters the next half century, the Asia-Pacific region is set to become the world’s largest and fastest growing region for passenger and cargo air services. With Asia as its heartland of operation, and Bangkok as Southeast Asia’s leading aviation hub, Thai is well positioned to take full advantage of Asia-Pacific’s growth and is determined to use the opportunity to build an airline that is stronger, more profitable and even more popular among global travellers.

Developments planned for the coming phase of Thai’s dynamic growth include a major increase in the Company’s equity, a development that will substantially increase the Company’s financial strength in the coming years. Recent efforts to reduce costs across all aspects of Thai’s operation have been successful, and will continue to further enhance productivity.

Thai also recognizes its responsibilities in connection with the environment and all ecological issues. As a major consumer of energy, Thaiwas the first Asia-Pacific airline to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to provide passengers with the opportunity to offset carbon generated from flying.

Thai’s prospects for the future are innovative and dynamic, and the coming decades will see Thai continuing its record of achievement so graphically recorded during our 50-year history.