Eight enter race for presidency

Eight individuals applied for the post of president of financially troubled Thai Airways International by yesterday's deadline.

Acting president Narongsak Sangapong said only one staff member, Prakobkait Ninnart, a consultant for special projects, had entered the race.

The seven outside candidates are Surachai Chanthaporn, former executive of a telecommunications firm; Suchart Wongsoonwat, deputy managing director of Thanachart Bank; Chet Mungkalodom, managing director of BEC Tero; Pitporn Klinfuang of the Royal Air Force; Teerawit Jaruwat, ex-managing director of TOT and acting director of Software Par Thailand; Prapat Chongsanguan, ex-governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand; and Sanchai Sophon, ex-managing director of Hewlett-Packard (Thailand).

Meanwhile, the national carrier will relocate its partial operation at the old Don Mueang Airport back to Suvarnabhumi Airport on March 29, so that all domestic and international flights leave and arrive from one location.

Narongsak said 23 domestic flights would return to Suvarnabhumi, a move that would save the airline Bt600 million per year in operating costs.

THAI's partial move to Don Mueang Airport took place during the Surayud Chulanont government, shortly after the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport in September 2006.

Narongsak said the airline expected to benefit from a 5-per-cent rise in the number of domestic passengers following the return of all flights to Suvarnabhumi.

The airline is fully supporting the current government's "single airport" policy to enhance the country as a regional aviation hub. Don Mueang Airport will then be used for charter-flight operations and other purposes.

Narongsak said both Nok Air and One Two Go would remain at Don Mueang at this stage.

He said the move would enable THAI to achieve the strategic objective of promoting Suvarnabhumi Airport as a major THAI and Star Alliance hub, which would play a major role in promoting economic growth for Thailand.

"The move will enable THAI to develop a network of operations, improve handling efficiency and reduce operating costs," he said.

It will also increase convenience for passengers and cargo shippers, not only for THAI flights, but also for other members of the Star Alliance network.

Connecting times between domestic and international flights will be one or two hours less than the previous minimum connecting time required for passengers transiting through Don Meaung to Suvarnabhumi.

Pandit Chanapai, THAI's executive vice president for commercial operations, said the last five flights scheduled to arrive at Don Mueang Airport on March 28 would now be adjusted to land at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

To handle the increased number of passengers at Suvarnabhumi, THAI will provide more check-in counters for domestic passengers, with "B" counters for premium/business-class passengers and "C" counters for economy-class passengers.

THAI will also extend its lounge areas at concourse A by 300 square metres.

Customers will also have access to a larger range of improved facilities, including high-speed train services between Suvarnabhumi and central Bangkok, as the Airport Rail Link is scheduled to start service in August.

Once the new high-speed train starts operations, the commuting time will be about 15 minutes between the city and airport, which is situated 25 kilometres away in Samut Prakan province.