A THAI official said some 400 tickets for the 20-minute flight from Don Muang to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport sold out in the first two days.

The airline is also running discounts on one-way fares between Suvarnabhumi and Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Seats on either flight cost Bt1,999 for economy class and Bt2,999 for business class.

"Passengers can get a special boarding pass. We're already seeing strong demand for the flights," said the official. Some 1,000 passengers can take the test flights on July 29.

Five other Thai airlines including Bangkok Airways and budget carrier Thai AirAsia will conduct test flights to the new airport on July 29.

Home Pro No 23

Home Pro has spent Bt400 million to open its 23rd branch, in Phitsanulok, in an attempt to boost sales in the lower North. The new branch has targeted sales of Bt30 million to Bt35 million a month.

Executive director Khunawut Thumpomkul said the company planned to expand its customer base in Phitsanulok with its newest promotion, "The More You Buy, the More Discount You Get", and awarding privileges through its Contractor Card from now to next June 30.

Auctions soon

Capital Advisory Services (Thailand), the operator of asset-management unit Property Choice, will host a series of auctions for properties in Bangkok in conjunction with the Legal Execution Department, Global Thai Property Mutual Fund and Palarp Asset Management Co, starting on July 27.

Capital Advisory Services marketing director Kasig Sriswasdi said the Legal Execution Department would offer 80 previously owned property items worth up to Bt120 million situated in Bangkok, including single-detached homes, town houses, condominiums, shop houses and vacant lots.

The opening bid price will be equivalent to 50-80 per cent of the official appraised value. Kasig said the auctions would be held at an office of the Legal Execution Department in the Bang Khunnont area of Thon Buri on July 27, August 17, September 1 and September 13.