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Thai Airways International will provide an additional 29 domestic flights from April 10-16, to meet anticipated demand during the Songkran holiday.

Acting president Narongsak Sangapong said the added flights, representing more than 12,400 extra seats, would be to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi and Khon Kaen.

The additional seats will mean a 17.1-per-cent increase in capacity for a total of 22,674 seats.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Administrative Court yesterday rejected a petition by independent academic Somkid Homnet against THAI's relocation of domestic flights from Don Mueang Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The court ruled the relocation was made on THAI's own initiative and not because of a government order.

More Songkran

revels foreseen

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects the number of Songkran revellers in Bangkok and four neighbouring provinces to increase 30-40 per cent from last year, as consumers are tightening their belts and concerned about political instability.

Chaisong Choorit, director of the TAT's Central Region office, said another reason Bangkok and the four provinces - Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani and Chachoengsao - would be a more popular destination was because traditionally more popular northern destinations for the festival were suffering from smoke pollution.

Thailand hosts

drink launch

Diageo Moet Hennessy recently held the global debut of its new ready-to-drink Smirnoff Ice Red Devil Edition in Thailand.

The product was created as part of an international joint campaign by the company and Manchester United Football Club.

Brian Robson, a former captain of the club, was present at the launch party to support the "Partnership of Champions" marketing concept.

Available for three months only from next Friday, the new product is expected to boost Smirnoff's share of the ready-to-drink market from 18 per cent now. - The Nation