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THE LATEST HAPPENINGS AT BANGKOK AIRWAYS

BACKING THE PROS
Bangkok Airways recently signed a sponsorship for Thongchai Jaidee, Thai golf pro who took second place on the Order of Merit in 2005, and Chinnarat Phadungsil, winner of Double A Tournament 2005; with Bangkok Airways agreeing to be the Official Airline for both golfers in the next two years.

Of the sponsorship agreements with Thongchai Jaidee and Chinnarat Phadungsil, Bangkok Airways’ Vice President of Corporate Communications, ML Nandhika Varavarn says their aim is to “raise the Thai golf profession to an international level and encourage Thai professional golfers to compete in major tournaments worldwide.”

CARRY ON, PARTNER
On behalf of the airline, Bangkok Airways’ senior sales executive, Sutee Yongudomkit, recently received a glowing accolade from Singapore’s Minister for Transport, Yeo Cheow Tong, for the airline’s success in winning the Changi Airline Awards 2006 for the strongest growth in passenger carriage observed in 2005 at Singapore’s Changi International Airport.

The award was given for the first time by the Civil Aviation of Singapore (CAAS) to strengthen partnership and recognise airlines’ contributions to the growth of the Changi Airport.

Bangkok Airways operates non-stop service between Samui and Singapore daily, and carried passengers at an average cabin factor of 74% last year.

NEW TERMINAL AT SAMUI AIRPORT
After its passenger terminal underwent expansion since 2004, Samui Airport will soft-open its custom terminal in mid-July.

The island’s only airport has been open since April 1989, and is gearing up to meet future demand for access to the island by expanding the number of terminals within the complex.

The airline will re-invest about 300 million baht (US$7.5 million) in the project, which will include the addition of three new domestic terminals and two new international terminals.

The new terminal will increase the airport’s passenger area from 12,000 to 73,000 square metres, making it six times more spacious than its current facility.

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