Situated in the heart of Asia, Thailand is gearing up to become a full service hub and major player in the region’s US $13 billion dollar a year aircraft maintenance industry. With Bangkok recently soaring up the list to15th in the global rankings measuring the world’s busiest airports in passenger throughput, from an earlier rank of 26th, and as the cargo and passenger volume continues to accelerate further investments in aircraft maintenance becomes even more lucrative. Bangkok already ranks within the top twenty locations in the world for cargo traffic, which was a hefty 1.18 million tons.
Asia’s economic boom, Thailand’s export driven economy and its ever increasing popularity as an international tourist and even medical tourist destination has kept the sky filled with aircraft from every corner of the globe. Aircraft that need refueling, repairing, maintaining and refitting! The opportunities are as vast as the skyline.
The Boeing Company forecasts a market for the Asia-Pacific region of about 7,200 new airplanes worth $770 billion over the next 20 years (March 07, 2006)
In 2006 alone the Asia-Pacific route registered an increase to 978.29 million passengers, jumping 10.3% from the previous year and 22.28% of the global total. That same year, there were a total of 42.8 million passengers serviced by Bangkok’s Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports.
“We chose Thailand to set up our first production facility outside the US because of the quality of its workforce, favorable laws and central location in Southeast Asia.” Joseph C. Berenato, chairman and chief executive officer, Ducommun Incorporated.
Thailand’s many strengths:
• GDP rising at an average of 5 percent per year since 2001, and similar levels of growth projected for the near future.
• Skilled, educated and motivated workforce: 96% literacy.
• World class infrastructure: 7 international airports, 8 deep-sea ports, rail and road lines linking every province, modern telecommunications.
• Signatory of free trade agreements, including the ASEAN Free Trade Area, granting access to a market valued at US$700 billion, and the Australian Free Trade Agreement.
• Ranked by the United Nations as the top 3 location in Asia for FDI, by the World Bank as among top 20 in the world for ease of doing business and in the Grant Thornton International Business Report as the #6 location in the world for executive opportunities for women.
Parameters for Success
Thailand has the infrastructure in place for repair services, including overhaul of aircraft engines, and is already a major hub for the electronics and electrical appliance industry, which opens opportunities for cluster development of avionics and communications equipment.
Suvarnabhumi International Airport has significantly boosted the growth potential of the aviation industry in the country, with a capacity to service 45 million passengers per year, 3 million tons of cargo and 76 flights per hour. In November 2009, the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) won approval to build a new domestic passenger terminal, which is expected to be completed by 2013 and will boost the Suvarnabhumi airport’s capacity to 65 million passengers per year.
Don Mueang Airport’s reopening for arrivals and departures of domestic flights only increases the opportunities. DMK can serve 60 flights per hour, 11.5 million domestic passengers a year, and 12,490 tons of domestic cargo per year. (Source: AOT)
Chiang Mai International Airport has completed a 2 billion baht expansion, and now has an infrastructure that can support its aspiration to become a truly regional aviation hub. The airport can now handle 8 million passengers a year.
Phuket International Airport: In December 2009, the government approved a 5.8 billion baht plan to increase the airport’s capacity to 12.5 million passengers by 2018. This is on top of the recently completed second terminal.
Excellent Aircraft Maintenance Infrastructure Thai Airways:
Setting the International Standard
A founding member of the Star Alliance and a GE-approved CF6 Center for Excellence
The THAI Technical Department of Thai Airways International is one of the foremost maintenance centers in Asia.
Suvarnabhumi: World’s largest maintenance hangars for 3 A380 aircraft
Facilities
• 3 bays for A380-size aircraft
• Size: length 270m x width 90m x height 45m
• Maintenance apron 26,100sqm
• Workshop 5,315sqm
• GSE 4,833sqm
• Aircraft spare parts store 19,872sqm
• Office & building 21,450sqm
Capabilities
• Technical support for small aircraft up to B747, A380
• Landing gear change
• Wheel & brake workshop
• Sheet metal workshop
• Painting shop
• NDT shop
• Welding shop
• Emergency shop
• Tools & equipment repair workshop
• GSE workshop
• New hangar for A-Check to C-Check
• MCC to handle all problems of line maintenance
U-Thapao facility: The THAI Technical Department’s new US$120 million facility at U-Thapao, 125 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, adds 240,000sqm and three bays to the 170,000sqm and six bays already in service at its main facility at Bangkok International Airport.
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited’s Technical Department recently received the “Requalifier Identification Certificate” from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This certifies that the quality of THAI’s Aircraft Emergency Equipment Maintenance process has achieved the international standard.
Thai Aviation Industry: Expertise and Experience
AEROTHAI : Aeronautical Radio of Thailand
With more than 50 years of experience, AEROTHAI provides air traffic services recognized to international standards.
Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited
A public company since 30 September 2002, AOT has six international airports under its administration: Don Muang International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Phuket International Airport, Chiang Rai International Airport, and Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Civil Aviation Training Center
CATC is the specialized Civil Aviation Center of the region, with world-class human resources learning.
Thailand an Excellent and Expanding Market
Thai Airways International and All Nippon Airways sign an agreement for THAI to conduct heavy maintenance on ANA’s Boeing 747-400 aircraft. (February 2007)
THAI’s Board of Directors approve 200 new positions to recruit staff for the Heavy Maintenance Department to improve efficiency in aircraft maintenance, along with a US$14.5 million purchase of additional maintenance equipment. (March 2007)
Thailand has the infrastructure in place for repair services, including overhaul of aircraft engines, and is already a major hub for the electronics and electrical appliance industry, which opens opportunities for cluster development of avionics and communications equipment.
Price, quality and service define Thailand’s E&E industry, which has made the country the world’s largest manufacturer of hard disk drives, and a major exporter of integrated circuits and consumer electronics. And with the addition of Ducommun’s manufacture of high performance and high reliability commercial microwave switches, the benefits to aircraft maintenance become even stronger.
Added traffic with the opening of the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport has significantly boosted the growth potential of the aerospace industry in the country, with a capacity to service 45 million passengers per year and 76 flights per hour. Don Muang’s reopening for arrivals and departures of domestic flights only increases the opportunities.
International Scheduled Flight Movements
Bangkok International Airport
Excellent Aircraft Maintenance Infrastructure
Thai Airways: setting the international standard
A founding member of the Star Alliance and GE-approved CF6 Center for Excellence
THAI Technical Department of Thai Airways International is “one of the foremost maintenance centers in Asia.”
Bangkok facility: one the largest aircraft maintenance centers in Southeast Asia
With over 40years of experience, a staff of more than 4,000 operate a facilities area of 170,000 sqm and offer superior engine maintenance, engine overhaul and component repairs that meet the highest European standards.
• 5 Hangars (6 Bays) of B747 size with full support system for wide body aircraft
• 1 bay of B737 size or equivalent
• 20,000 sq.m of apron area
• 46.100 sq.m Workshop
• 29,000 sq.m Spare Parts Storage Area
• 100,000 lbs. and 150,000 lbs thrust Computerized Engine Test Cell
U-Thapao facility
The Thai Technical Department at U-Thapao offers high-quality/low-cost airframe overhaul services for Boeing 737, 747, 777 series and for the Airbus A-300 series, as well as a full range of modification services including Section 41, Strut modification, Engine pylon, and TCAS.
The Thai Technical Department prides itself on excellence and safety, and has received international certificates from RAB (USA), TTA (Germany), RVA (Netherlands), UKAS (United Kingdom), COFAC (France), JAS-ANZ (Australia & New Zealand) and SCES (Switzerland), as well as approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) and the Department of Aviation of Thailand (Thai DOA).
Thai Aviation Industries
“An expertise and experience in military aircraft depot level maintenance, aircraft modifications & upgrades, refurbishment, major structural repairs & corrosion control, and engine and components repair/overhaul.” Source: www.taicomp.com
Aerothai : Aeronautical Radio of Thailand
With over 50 years of experience, AEROTHAI has provided Air Traffic Services and related services with recognized international standards. AEROTHAI has used its know-how in air traffic control and engineering to expand its business in the aviation industry, especially in the Asia region.
This business expansion includes:
• Air Traffic Service and related services
• Communication Network Services
• Airline and Airport Communication Services
• Flight Inspection Service
Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT)
A public company since 30 September 2002, AOT has 6 international airports under its administration: Don Muang International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Phuket International Airport, Chiang Rai International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Civil Aviation Training Center
"CATC is the Specialized Civil Aviation Center of the Region with Learning Organization of World-Class Human Resources."
Source: Civil Aviation Training Center
Thailand: an excellent and expanding market
“Thai Airways International and All Nippon Airways signed an agreement for Thai to conduct ‘heavy maintenance’ on ANA’s Boeing 747-400 aircraft” (February 2007)
Thai’s Board of Directors approve 200 new positions to recruit staff for the heavy maintenance department, to improve efficiency in aircraft maintenance, along with the purchase of US $14.5 million in additional maintenance equipment. (March 2007)
Aircraft Parts and Components
For complete details please visit the BOI at www.boi.go.th.
HEART OF ASIA
One of the world’s most popular cuisines. Beautiful beaches and islands. Friendly, charming people. Warm weather all year round. Cheap prices for most things. Colourful, enchanting temples. An exotic culture preserved through the ages in a country that has never been colonised. Where are we talking about? Thailand, of course!
WHY THAILAND
You can travel to Thailand, if you want to experience lovely smiles and gentleness of Thai people and scenic & cultural treasures of Thai land. Thailand certainly is the “land of smiles,” which can make you smile, too. It’s really is enamoring and exotic country, known for its inviting people, culture, scenery, cuisine, and overall lifestyle.
A FREQUENT CHOICE IN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Located in the heart of Asia, Thailand has been captivating foreign visitors for decades. Previous visitors return year after year and as the word spreads, first-time visitors come flooding in. The number of foreign visitors to Thailand continues to increase and year after year, records are broken as international visitors flock to this fascinating country.
VACATIONS, MADE MEMORABLE ONES
Arguably the most exotic destination in South East Asia, Thailand offers travelers and holidaymakers a huge range of vacation possibilities. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a budget traveler wanting to explore a foreign land on a tight budget, or a well-heeled traveler who wants to be pampered and experience the very best, Thailand has something for you.It is still quite possible to find a pristine stretch of beautiful white sand beach that you can have all to yourself. Lazing away the days on a hammock under a palm tree on a mile long beach, without anyone else in sight,swaying in the breeze under a cloudless sky as the waves gently break against the soft white sand.Such an experience can still be had. Welcome to Thailand!
MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS
This page could largely be separated into two separate sections. The first part gives general information about travelling in Thailand while the second part goes into detail about some of the places to visit and some of my feelings about them and experiences there.
Bangkok
Phuket
Ko Samui
Ko Samet
Pattaya
Hua Hin
Isaan
Historic Places
Ko Chang
LEGAL LENGTH FOR YOUR STAY IN THAILAND
Visitors from most Western countries to Thailand get 30 days permission to enter Thailand upon arrival. This is not a visa per se. If you really like Thailand you can exit the country and re-enter immediately thus getting another 30 days. You cannot do this indefinitely and after spending 90 days in Thailand in a 180 day period you cannot return for 90 days, unless you apply for a visa at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of the country first. (There is more on the whole visa issue in the living and working section.) Holders of South Korean, Brazilian and Peruvian passports get 90 days permission. A lot of developing countries get permission to enter for a shorter period of time and visitors from some countries may have to apply in advance for a visa.You can apply in advance for a two month tourist visa which can actually be extended in the country for another 30 days at any Immigration office. The extension costs 1,900 baht.I believe that you may be able to get a multiple entry tourist visa although I personally believe that strictly for tourism purposes, three months is plenty.
LANDING IN THAILAND
Most people arriving in Thailand fly into Suwannaphum international airport in Bangkok. Your first time in Thailand, which may be your first time in Asia, can be more than a little confusing. You are more than likely jumping off the plane after a fairly lengthy trip and probably want to get to your hotel as soon as possible.
ACCOMMODATION
No matter what your budget, you can find something to suit. Thailand and indeed Bangkok has a huge range of places to stay. Whether you want the opulence of the Oriental Hotel, the filth of a Khao Sarn Road backpacker hole or somewhere in between, you will be able to find it in Bangkok. And right throughout Thailand, you will be able to find something to suit your needs, at least most of the time in most places.Bangkok’s top end hotels continue to rate extremely highly. The Oriental Hotel, The Dusit Thani, The Peninsula and The Shangri-La are often mentioned when you hear the top hotels in the world being talked about. These are five star hotels in every sense and should suit the most demanding of travelers Throughout Thailand, you have all of the big international hotel chains like Marriot, Sheraton, Regent, Hyatt represented. You also have some very good Thai hotel chains like Amari. And then you have got a lot of stand alone hotels. At the lower end of the range you have guesthouses. I gather that camping grounds are available in some places but having seen one snake show too many, I think I’ll give that one a miss, thank you.Of the beaches and islands in Thailand, the most popular spots like Pattaya, Phuket and Ko Samui are oozing with a variety of accommodation options. But this is not always the case at some of the more off the beaten track type places. It should come as no surprise that the further off the beaten track you get, generally the harder it is to find quality accommodation. Even in some of the islands the quality of accommodation is not always that good – and sometimes the prices, while cheap by international standards, can be expensive by local Thai standards. Places like Ko Samet and Ko Chang are classic examples where, in my personal opinion, accommodation prices really are higher than they should be.
Khao San Road
If you’re traveling on a budget then Khao San Road is actually extremely well located for anyone visiting Bangkok as it is walking distance to the river and the most interesting and historically significant parts of the city. The must see Grand Palace is about a mile or s away, easily walk able, even in Bangkok’s oppressive heat. Thailand is not an expensive country to travel through and if you are on a real budget, you can do just fine. Let’s look at the cost of accommodation in Bangkok first. A room in the top end hotels tends to go for 5,000 baht or more a night. The very best spots, like the Oriental may even go for twice this. As I mentioned earlier, hotels in Bangkok really are excellent and the top end places are just fabulous. My pick is the Sukhothai which has a wonderful combination of Thai style with modern convenience. It is worth just going for a wander through as it really is that nice! As Bangkok can be quite difficult to get around due to the dreadful traffic conditions and the fact that the skytrain and underground only cover a small part of the city, one needs to think carefully about the area where one chooses to stay. The most popular areas are Sukhumvit Road, Silom Road, the Siam Square / Pratunam area, Banglampoo and the river The prices of ccommodation in Phuket and Ko Samui are much the same as in Bangkok. These are now big international beach resorts with many fabulous places to stay and as such the prices reflect what people are prepared to pay for them. On the other hand, Pattaya and Chiang Mai both have high quality accommodation available at prices which simply do not exist – at least what you get for that money – in Bangkok. This is one reason to visit Pattaya and Chiang Mai – you get very good value for money on your accommodation.
GETTING AROUND THAILAND
TRAVEL BY AIR
Thai Airways is the main domestic airline and airfares for flights within Thailand are fairly reasonably priced, the schedules are good with lots of flights to the most popular destinations. Further, the planes are generally in good condition. Thai Airways flies to most parts of the country, but not quite all. The notable exception of where Thai does not fly is the tropical paradise of Ko Samui. There is only one airline which flies between Ko Samui and Bangkok and that is Bangkok Airways who I believe own the airport at Samui. The fare to fly from Bangkok to Ko Samui on Bangkok Airways is more expensive than the fare on Thai to fly from Bangkok to Phuket, something which many people question, with some feeling that Bangkok Airways really stings you when you fly between Bangkok and Ko Samui. Bangkok Airways also flies to some neighbouring countries as well as operating domestic flights within Thailand, but it is the route to Ko Samui for which they are most famous. Bangkok Airways has tried to reposition themselves and now markets themselves as Asia’s boutique carrier. .
TRAVEL BY CAR
Hiring cars or even a big bike is one way to get around Thailand. The quality of the roads in Thailand is generally pretty good. Car rental is fairly cheap in Thailand which is a little surprising given that the cost of buying a car in Thailand is much dearer than in the West. Generally, driving in provincial Thailand is easy, the drivers are less aggressive, there is much less traffic – and the further you get from Bangkok, the less traffic and congestion you find. However, wherever you go, signs are generally in Thai only. In a few places, and Pattaya is one exception, some road signs are in Thai. Fortunately street signs are in both Thai and English nationwide, something which I have been extremely impressed with. Petrol in Thailand is reasonably priced and as at March 2007, the price is around 26 baht a litre for the highest grade, 95 octane petrol.
HIGH-LOW SEASONS, THERE’S NONE SO SERIOUS DIVISIONS:
The tourist high season runs from around late November through to mid April. At certain times, particularly Christmas, New Year, the Chinese New Year and Songkran the most popular beaches and islands can be extremely busy to the point that getting accommodation can become a bit of a problem. Hotels and even some guesthouses hike their prices – and people are willing to pay it. So if you are travelling over any of these periods it pays to book well in advance. The Songkran period really marks the end of the tourism high season for the year. There are a number of other holidays throughout the year and on some of these holidays nightlife areas and bars and discos can be closed – and the sale of alcohol is outlawed. Some bars slip the boys in brown a bit of cash so they can remain open. Generally speaking it is the Buddhist holidays and December 5th, the birthday of HM The King.
