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TRAVEL & TOURISM
 

Samui Airport celebrates 24th anniversary

Organizing free concert for Samui residents

BANGKOK Airways, led by Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, the airline’s president, celebrated Samui Airport’s 24th anniversary May 17 under the theme “Blue Paradise Fest”, at Chaweng Reservoir, Koh Samui.
Puttipong said, “Throughout the 24 years that Samui Airport has been in operation, it has served travelers from around the globe. Bangkok Airways and Samui Airport will continue to provide good service and facilitate all passengers to our best. Koh Samui is a potential tourist destination and people of Samui themselves also welcome tourists to the island. This makes Koh Samui famous and a dream island to many people around the world.
“Samui Airport is proud to be part of Koh Samui’s tourism development as the first door to welcome tourists to the island. On this occasion, I would like to thank all our supporters including public and private sectors, Koh Samui Municipality, hotel associations, tourism associations, the media and people of Samui for all your continued support.”
M.L. Nandhika Varavarn, Bangkok Airways’ vice president for Corporate Communications commented, “Early this year, we celebrated Bangkok Airways’ 45th anniversary by holding an event to thank all our partners, passengers and all our supporters. This year also marks a special year as it also celebrates the 24th anniversary of Samui Airport; that’s why we are organizing a concert and festival for all.”
The concert kicked off with “Welcome to the blue paradise” from Katreeya English and Ben Chalatit, and was followed by “Adventurous paradise” from Mario Maurer, Ken Phupoom and Weir Sukollawat. The third show “Ultimate paradise” was performed by Jay Jetrin, Joey Boy and Kan Ko Club. The night ended with the show “We are paradise” from Blackhead & Friend.
About Samui Airport Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth
Bangkok Airways built its first airport at Koh Samui, a major resort island in the Gulf of Thailand. Samui Airport, located at the northern part of the island near Bo Phut Beach, began construction 1982 and officially commenced operations on April 25, 1989. The airstrip is 2,100 meters long; while the main facility is outfitted with the highest safety-standard equipment, modern communications, and open-air passenger terminals - its architecture is built to naturally blend in with the island’s surrounding flora and fauna.
On September 25, 1997, Samui Airport was upgraded into a customs airport. The resulting enhancements comprise of immigration facilities, customs services, new passenger terminals, and additional direct overseas flight routes into Samui.
Located within the airport, passengers can dine on delicious traditional Thai cuisine at its open-air Thai restaurant; send postcards to friends and family at the airport’s post office; and select memorable gifts from its souvenir shop. The latest additional to Samui Airport is the “Soul to Sole” spa where passengers can loosen up to a traditional Thai massage before boarding their flight.
Awards Received:
1989: The Environment Impact Assessment Award (EIA Award)
1996: The Environment Impact Assessment Award (EIA Award)
1998 Asia Architectural Design Award
2006: Smart Travel Asia “ Best Airports Worldwide polls” Samui Airport is the 4th place on the top 10 Best Airport polls
2007: Smart Travel Asia “ Best Airports Worldwide polls” Samui Airport is the 8th place on the top 10 Best Airport polls
2008: Smart Travel Asia “ Best Airports Worldwide polls” Samui Airport is the 10th place on the top 10 Best Airport polls
2009: Asia Architectural Design Award
2009: Smart Travel Asia “Best Airports Worldwide polls” Samui Airport is the 10th place on the top 10 Best Airport polls
2010: Tropical Building in Thailand Energy Awards 2010, Department of Alternative Energy Development and efficiency, Ministry of energy.
2010: Smart Travel Asia “Best Airports Worldwide polls” Samui Airport is the 10th place on the top 10 Best Airport polls
2011: Tropical Building in ASEAN Energy Awards 2011 of Alternative Energy Development and efficiency, Ministry of energy.
2011: Smart Travel Asia “Best Airports Worldwide polls” Samui Airport is the 9th place on the top 10 Best Airport polls.


Next TAT governor announced

Andrew J Wood
Thawatchai Arunyik, deputy governor for domestic marketing at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, has been selected as the TAT’s next governor to replace Suraphon Svetasreni, whose contract with TAT will end on December 21.

Thawatchai Arunyik.

The decision to appoint Thawatchai to the top post at the state enterprise will not come as a surprise to the tourism industry, as he had been seen as the favourite from the moment a successor to Suraphon was first considered.
He is believed to have strong connections with the Chart Pattana Party, led by veteran politician Banharn Silpa-Archa. The party has long controlled the Tourism and Sports Ministry, which looks after the TAT.
Pensuda Prai-aram, chairman of the TAT’s board of directors, said recently that Thawatchai was the most qualified person for the post.
His vision and ability would help move the TAT forward in the changing tourism industry, he added.
There were only two candidates for the governorship, the other being Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT’s deputy governor for international marketing for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
The candidates each had to present their vision for the authority to a five-member selection committee, chaired by Suwat Sidthilaw, permanent secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
Their confidence, leadership, crisis management and ability to cooperate with the private and government sectors were also considered.
Suwat said Thawatchai had won the race because he had convinced the panel of his leadership and strong confidence. He also proposed a practical plan for cooperating with other players in the tourism industry.
The State Enterprise Policy Office will now consider his salary and draw up a work contract.
If all goes to plan, Thawatchai - who has been with the TAT for 30 years - will take office on December 22, becoming its ninth governor.
His main challenge is to push for the generation of Bt2 trillion in tourism revenue in 2015, in line with the government’s stated goal.
As a TAT insider, he should be able to move quickly in implementing policy because he understands the authority’s culture and workforce well.
He will be evaluated every six months. However, as he is currently 57 years and 10 months old, he will not complete a full four-year term because he will have to retire at 60.
Suraphon, meanwhile, will continue at the TAT’s helm. His final evaluation takes place this month.


THAI-Standard Chartered Bank Celebrate a Decade of Collaboration

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) and Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Pcl, recently celebrated a decade of collaboration and achievement between the two companies, providing financial services to THAI as follows: Export Credit Financing, Aircraft Operating Lease, Term Loan, and Committed Credit Line, all of which strengthens THAI’s competitiveness in the airline industry. THAI and Standard Chartered Bank have collaborated on financing seven aircraft valued at 12 billion baht, which includes the Airbus A380, THAI’s largest and most modern passenger aircraft.
Joining in the celebration between THAI and Standard Chartered Bank, which was held recently at Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok, were (from 2nd left to right): Mrs. Wasukarn Visansawatdi (THAI Executive Vice President, Finance and Accounting), Dr. Sorajak Kasemsuvan (THAI President), Lyn Kok (Standard Chartered Bank President and Chief Executive Officer), and Simon Perkins (Standard Chartered Bank Singapore, Managing Director, Aircraft Finance and Leasing).


HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]

Samui Airport celebrates 24th anniversary

Next TAT governor announced

THAI-Standard Chartered Bank Celebrate a Decade of Collaboration