STREET WISE: THAI unveils special fares

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways yesterday announced a round-trip air ticket from Bangkok to Phitsanulok for Bt1,380 for two persons, to help promote domestic travel during the Songkran festival.

Suthep Suepsantiwongse, executive vice president of Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), said the promotion would be available between April 9 and 13. The return ticket must be used before May 31.

“The special fare representing ‘buy one, fly two’ is called the ‘Yim Chum Chum’ [smile amid Splashing Water] promotion,” Suthep said. It aims to encourage Thais to travel inside the country, which is a national government policy.

THAI has also launched the “Yim Kan Tua” promotion, or Smile Around Thailand, which is aimed at young Thai travellers during the summer holiday.

A third discounted ticket called “Yim Tua Tid” (Smile Everywhere), for domestic routes, starts at Bt1,000 for a round trip.

Other promotional fares being offered on domestic routes are for round trips such as Bangkok-Chiang Mai (priced at Bt2,945) and Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani (Bt2,485). These packages are valid from April 19 to June 30.

The “buy one, get four domestic tickets” promotion is for passengers who buy a round-trip ticket from destinations such as Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Europe to Bangkok. Passengers will receive four free domestic return business-class e-tickets.

THAI said under its “buy one, get an upgrade” promotion, passengers would be entitled to upgrade to a first-class ticket for selective routes such as Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the US, and European countries.

Suthep said passengers who buy a full-fare business-class return from Bangkok to Asian destinations other than Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Burma and Cambodia would be given a free business-class domestic return e-ticket.

--The Nation 2004-03-31

George, any ideas where Thai Air are actually promoting these wonderful airfares? I checked out their website re the 'Buy one, get four domestic' and 'buy one get an upgrade' promotions but couldn't find any news re this. I'm nipping back to the UK for a week and am thinking of travelling Business Class for the 1st time long-haul (gee my business is doing ok ). Any promo fares will help spread the pennies (or satang).

Simon