Official Duty Hand Over Ceremony / THAI Holds Aircraft Anointing Ceremony

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited held the “Official Duty Hand Over Ceremony” today at 14:30 hours, upon the retirement of Mr. Thamnoon Wanglee, in which Mr. Wanglee transferred the role and responsibilities of airline president to Mr. Bhisit Kuslasayanon, THAI’s new President.

Mr. Thamnoon Wanglee, graduated from Assumption College, Bangkok, and continued his education in the United States at Marshal University, West Virginia, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Accounting and Economics. In 1969, he joined THAI as Chief of the Accounting Division. In 1993, Mr. Wanglee was appointed President of THAI, and has served as President for 7 years, while working with THAI for 31 years.

Mr. Bhisit Kuslasayanon, THAI’s new President, graduated from the University of New South Wales, Australia, with a Master’s Degree of Engineering Science in Computing. Mr. Bhisit joined THAI in 1972 as a Reservations System Manager.

Before selection as THAI’s President, he served as Executive Vice President, Customer Services. As the result of unanimous selection upon the retirement of Mr. Thamnoon Wanglee, Mr. Kuslasayanon was appointed THAI’s new President, effective 1 October 2000.

From the beginning of Thai Airways International’s establishment on 1 May 1960, 40 years ago, a total of 11 THAI airline Presidents have held office, those being as follows: L.CDR. Prasong Suchiva, AVM Kraiwan Thavorntharn, AM Suan Sukserm, AM Choo Suthichoti, Flt. Lt. Brom Na Thalang, ACM Bancha Sukhanusasna, ACM Janya Sukontasap, ACM Prayad Didyasarin, ACM Weera Kitchathorn, Pol. Lt. Chatrachai Boonya-Ananta, and Mr. Thamnoon Wanglee.


THAI Holds Aircraft Anointing Ceremony


On September 11, 2000 Somdej Phra Buddhajarn Abbot of Wat Sraket, Committee Member of Sangha Supreme Council, presided over the anointing ceremony of three Thai Airways International (THAI) aircraft:

Airbus A330-300, Airbus A300-600, and Boeing 747-400, at the Domestic Terminal, Bangkok International Airport. Present during the ceremony were His Excellency Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, Transport and Communications Minister, and Mr. Thamnoon Wanglee, THAI’s President.

The 389-seater Boeing 747-400 aircraft is the 13th aircraft to join THAI’s aircraft fleet, which was royally bestowed the name “DARARASME” by His Majesty the King, powered by GE engine type 80C2B1F model. The aircraft accommodates 14 seats in Royal First Class, 50 seats in Royal Executive Class and 325 seats in Economy Class. Seats in Royal First Class recline up to 180 degrees with personal in-seat videos and desk lights (snake light). Each seat is separated by a partition, which allows greater privacy and comfort for each passenger. Royal Executive Class passengers may also enjoy personal in-seat videos and inflight telephones. These facilities have been installed on the THAI airplane, operating on European and American routes.

The 305-seater Airbus A330-300 aircraft is the 11th aircraft to join THAI’s aircraft fleet, which was royally bestowed the name “THEPAMAT”, by His Majesty the King, powered by Pratt & Whitney engine PW4168 model. The aircraft accommodates 42 seats in Royal Executive Class and 263 seats in Economy Class. Royal Executive Class passengers may enjoy a wide range of facilities including in-seat videos, and automatic footrests. Inflight telephones and facsimiles have also been installed on this airplane for passengers traveling on all Asian routes.

The 388-seater Airbus A300-600 aircraft is the 11th aircraft to join THAI’s aircraft fleet, which was royally bestowed the name “SRISUBHAN” by His Majesty the King, powered by Pratt & Whitney engine PW4158 model. The aircraft accommodates 49 seats in Royal Executive Class and 339 seats in Economy Class. The aircraft will be used for flight operations on domestic and Asian routes.

Currently, THAI has a total 78 aircraft in its fleet, comprised of 33 Airbus, 39 Boeing, 4 MD-11, and 2 ATR aircraft.