Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) will present strategic plans to the government aimed at driving the business recovery and future growth of the national flag carrier to transform it into a premium international airline, the company said on Wednesday.
The plans will be proposed to Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who will preside over a panel discussion to brainstorm ideas and ways of collaborating to support THAI's business at the carrier's headquarters on Thursday.
THAI's board of directors discussed a series of plans and strategies yesterday to show Mr Somkid.
They include aircraft purchases, revenue management, fleet and network expansion, and the group's future business plan. THAI Group comprises THAI, Thai Smile Airways and Nok Air.
Sumeth Damrongchaitham, the newly installed THAI president, said the plans would include suggested ways of working with other state-owned organisations that are part of an alliance with THAI in areas like tourism.
Top executives from the alliance will join Thursday's panel. They include Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn, Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn, and Krungthai Bank (KTB) president Payong Srivanich.
The panel aims to find long-term solutions to the ongoing tourism boom and share these with staff to boost morale.
"Major alliances such as TAT, KTB and AOT will help by sharing their perspectives on how to drive THAI and the THAI Group forward," Mr Sumeth said.
He said Nok Air would remain in the group despite its continued losses.
A THAI source said a report claiming the airline planned to increase its registered capital by 20 billion baht to buy new aircraft was dismissed by its board of directors as groundless.
However, Mr Somkid and Deputy Transport Minister Pailin Chuchottaworn previously expressed support for THAI's plans to purchase 23 new aircraft, with the former green-lighting the plan at a cabinet meeting held last week.
THAI has a surplus of decommissioned planes.