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THAI hopes to bring MICE to Samui |
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By John Leicester
Thai Airways International (THAI) hopes to introduce a MICE element to the predominantly leisure destination of Koh Samui with the launch of its twice-daily service on February 15.
THAI’s service brings the badly needed business-class capacity to Koh Samui.
Its Boeing 737-400 aircraft are configured with 137 economy class and 12 business class seats – the latter being just what small meeting and incentive planners want for their high-profile clients.
Bangkok Airways, which has been serving the Koh Samui route for more than 18 years, has always operated single-class seat configuration aircraft – ATR72 propeller aircraft, B717s and Airbus 319 jets.
THAI area director for Thailand, Indochina and Myanmar, Mr Chris Chantalitanan, said: “We have already sent out word to our overseas offices to promote Koh Samui as a new destination for MICE.”
Mr Chantalitanan was pleased by the positive reception by the trade in Koh Samui and by better-than-expected load factors.
“If our twice-daily Bangkok-Koh Samui flights continue to do well, we can consider increasing our daily frequency next year.”
THAI now operates one early morning flight and one late afternoon flight.
The airline is looking at adding another mid-afternoon flight.
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