Thai Airways confirms launch of LCC 'Thai Smile Air'

Thai Airways confirmed the launch of a new LCC named Thai Smile Air, with its ticket sales to commence in early 2012 and operations scheduled to commence in Jul-2012 (Travel Daily News, 31-Aug-2011). Thai Smile Air will operate from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, and from 2012, use a fleet of 11 A320 aircraft. The LCC will initially fly to domestic Thailand destinations such as Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, and Surat Thani, with the plan to operate internationally in 2013.

Thai Airways: "Thai Smile Air will operate using Thai's TG airline code, and will be appropriately priced to ensure the product is competitive in the airline market. The name Thai Smile Air was selected from more than 2,000 entries from Thai employees, and I think the confirmed name suits our proposed concept of being 'trendy, friendly, and worthy travel. Thai Smile will not affect Thai's plans to also launch Thai Tiger Airways, a discount carrier in partnership with Singapore's Tiger Airways, which will materialise 'as soon as possible.'" Piyasvasti Amranand, President. Source: Travel Daily News, 31-Aug-2011.