Thai Airways board approves establishment of regional carrier 'Thai Smile'
Thai Airways board of directors approved the establishment of regional carrier 'Thai Smile' (Bangkok Post, 20-Aug-2011). THAI's board chairman, Ampon Kittiampon characterised it as a "light-premium carrier segmented between full-service and low-cost". Thai Smile will commence operations in Jul-2012 using Thai's TG designator. It will eventually operate 11 A320 aircraft, four of which are scheduled for delivery in 2012. Thai Smile will initially operate short-haul services one to two hours from Bangkok. In the first year of operation, Thai Smile will fly to Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai and Surat Thani. The carrier will begin operating short-haul international routes within Asean, and to India and China in 2013. The carrier will offer a meal service, free baggage allowances and mileage accrual. Tickets will be mainly be sold online.