DPM:Thailand has potential to become regional aviation hub

BANGKOK, September 20 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak says that Thailand has potential to become an aviation hub in the region mainly through the development of Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, based on its master plan set to be submitted to the government for further consideration by the end of this year. Somkid, who oversees economic affairs, made the remarks at a public forum held in Bangkok on Thursday, in which Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, who is an executive member of the THAI Board, and other THAI executives participated. Somkid told the forum relevant foreign business sectors have agreed during his meetings with them earlier that Thailand has potential to become and sustain its status as a regional aviation hub in the foreseeable future. Somkid, thus, suggested that all parties in THAI, join forces in strengthening the national airline based on its master plan, under which THAI will be rehabilitated from an operational loss and revitalized to become a premium national airline and to become one of the world's top five airlines by 2022. The deputy prime minister vowed that the Thai government is ready to support THAI in all areas towards its revitalization goals in order to enhance its business competitiveness. The deputy premier assigned THAI executives, meanwhile, to conclude the company's master plan on the improvement of its aviation routes and operational process, as well as its procurement of a new fleet of passenger planes by the end of this year and to then submit the plan to the Thai government for further consideration and a decision. The deputy prime minister also assigned THAI to find and work with its business allies, namely other airlines and relevant transport systems, to create its comprehensive networks to facilitate international passengers and to support the government's plan on developing and sustaining the Thai Kingdom to become a regional aviation center in the future. (TNA)