The latest happenings at bangkok airways

A ROYAL VISIT AT ITB

Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Siri Vadhana Phannavadi graciously visited the Bangkok Airways exhibition booth at ITB Berlin, the world’s biggest tourism trade show, which took place in early March. ML Nandhika Varavarn, the airline’s Vice President of Corporate Communications greeted and presented Her Royal Highness (le, ) with souvenirs and a copy of Fah ai magazine to mark the occasion, supported by her team of executives.

EXCELLENCE AWARD WIN

Bangkok Airways recently received the top award for “All-Round Service Excellence for a Regional Airline” from Skytrax, following the airline’s achievements under the category of Asia’s Best Regional Airline in 2004 and 2005. Skytrax’s Marketing Director, Peter Miller said that, as a boutique airline, Bangkok Airways has certainly achieved “exceptionally high and consistent standards of product and service delivery, taking regional airline standards to a new plateau.” Bangkok Airways’ Vice President of Corporate Communications, ML Nandhika Varavarn described how winning this distinction was proof that the company is able to maintain a top service standard under the “BOUTIQUE” brand and that the company’s ongoing efforts were valued by customers. “< e Skytrax Award has brought us joy, for it refl ects the true voice of our passengers,” she commented, adding, “< is is an encouragement for us towards the title of ‘Asia’s Best Regional Airline’. ” Bangkok Airways has won this title for the past consecutive two years. < e 2006 winner will be announced later this year.

DAILY SERVICE COMMENCES

In mid-April this year, Bangkok Airways increased the frequency of its fl ights between tropical Koh Samui in < ailand and bustling Singapore to offer a daily service between the two islands. < is follows last October’s increase to six fl ights a week, which boasted an average 75% cabin factor at year’s end. < e airline uses 120-seater Boeing 717-200 to operate the popular route, with a daily departure time of 4.30pm from Samui and 8.10pm from Singapore. Visit www.bangkokair.com for details.

ISLAND OPEN 2006

0 e third Bangkok Airways Open, which is part of the Asian Tour, will take place this year from 8-11 June at the Santiburi Samui Country Club (above) on Koh Samui. Among Asia’s top-notch golfers expected to compete for the US$300,000 prize will be 0 avorn Wiratchan, 0 ongchai Jaidee, Lu Wen Teh, Shiv Kapur, Prayad Maksang and 0 ammanoon Sriroj. Alongside the main event, there will also be a Pro-Am Tournament on 6 and 9 June featuring a Golf Clinic by famous golf pros. Avid golf fans can pick up a package tour starting at 10,800 baht from Fah 0 ai Holidays (tel +66 (0)22 655770-4, www..fahthaiholidays.com). For those who cannot take time off, the tournament’s fi nal two days will be broadcast on UBC 36.

www.fahthaiholidays.com

BANGKOK AIRWAYS BACKS MTIS

Bangkok Airways’ President and CEO, Mr Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth (right), shared his views in developing tourism within the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) during the Mekong Tourism Investment Summit (MTIS) in Luang Prabang in late March. With a signifi cant network of routes operating within Indochina, Bangkok Airways was in full support of this event while other key supporters included Amadeus Asia Pacifi c, Best Western Asia, Diethelm Travel, Incentive House Asia, TTR Weekly, Lao Airlines, a Dutch development organisation (SNV), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Pacifi c Asia Travel Association (PATA). 0 e summit’s objective was to encourage investment in tourism projects throughout the GMS. 0 e event provided an opportunity for the government and the private sector to discuss the profi le of the Mekong region as an expanding travel destination, with an emphasis on linking tourism investors with business opportunities that also benefi t local communities.

ASIA’S BOUTIQUE AIRLINE

A standard echoed by a series of prestigious awards

Two years ago in 2004, Bangkok Airways took a fi rm grip of its positioning and committed to becoming ASIA’S BOUTIQUE AIRLINE. Since that time, in line with this branding, Bangkok Airways’ primary focus has been on raising the standard of its front-line service in comparison to other regional carriers. , is endeavour was undertaken under the close observation of an expert in-house BOUTIQUE Committee. The successful results are evident from the string of prestigious awards bestowed upon ASIA’S BOUTIQUE AIRLINE to the constant stream of compliments from its passengers from all around the world and all walks of life. In both 2004 and 2005, Bangkok Airways also earned unprecedented merits from Skytrax, an international monitor of airline standards, under the category of “Asia’s Best Regional Airline”. , e award highlighted the airline’s recognition that both the product and service – from the airport to the on-board environment – are of key importance to all its passengers. This year, Bangkok Airways received the top award for “All-Round Service Excellence for a Regional Airline”. , is was another sign of the airline’s ability and care taken in maintaining the highest standards of service under the BOUTIQUE brand. Furthermore, this standard is applied to all areas of operation – from friendly and effi cient front-line service, quality in-fl ight meals and new aircra7 to comfortable lounges, boutique airport environments and exotic destinations in Asia. Alongside these important Skytrax awards, Bangkok Airways also received the Number One vote as the “Favourite Small Airline” from a three-month online poll conducted by Smart Travel Asia in 2005. This achievement also refl ects the attractiveness of the BOUTIQUE concept that encourages more innovative ways to fl y in comfort. Bangkok Airways’ BOUTIQUE Committee has been thrilled to see the airline recognised with these accolades. Such awards serve to act as a motivating factor in continuing to improve the airline’s premium services offered to its discerning passengers visiting , ailand and the region. So what are you waiting for? Book a flight and take off with ASIA’S BOUTIQUE AIRLINE today!

2006 Skytrax Airline Excellence Award: All-Round Service Excellence for a Regional Airline 2005 Skytrax Airline Excellence Award: Outstanding Customer Service for a Regional Asian Airline No. 1 Favourite Small Airline by Smart Travel Asia Environmental Awareness and Management Award: Presented to Bangkok Airways’ Sukhothai Airport by , ailand’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment 2004 Skytrax Airline Excellence Award: Outstanding Customer Service for a Regional Asian Airline Award Par Excellence: Presented to Bangkok Airways’ Sukhothai Airport by , ailand’s Ministry of Labour 2002 ITB Award: Best Marketing Effort, Airline Category