On board the flight were 112 VIP guests, including the Royal Consort HRH Princess Srirasmi, the couple's son and daughter Their Royal Highnesses Prince Teepangkorn Rasmichoti and Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin.

Also on board were Nai Lert Park Hotel owner Thanphuying Lersak Sombatsiri, first executive vice president of Bank of Ayudhya Charlotte Donavanik and Thanachai Santichaikul, chairman of Nation Multimedia Group.

The price for a seat was estimated to cost Bt1 million.

The charity flight was the brainchild of the Crown Prince and was organised by Thai Airways. All proceeds will be donated to charities working in the deep South.

Surayud said before boarding that the flight had raised Bt80 million. The money will be spent on equipment for hospitals in the three southernmost provinces.

The flight departed Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3.15pm.

The passengers on TG8870 enjoyed smoked salmon, caviar and fruit. They stayed at the Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai and are scheduled to return to Bangkok this afternoon. They will eat Californian maki and eel sushi on that journey.

The flight touched down on time and passengers broke into spontaneous applause on arrival.

Assadawuth Wattanangk, co-pilot and the Crown Prince's flying instructor, said the flight had been smooth.

His Royal Highness qualified as an Air Force pilot in F-5 fighters. He has been training in commercial jets for the past two years.