Just a few hours before the take-off of the first flight to Bangkok, Mr. Amranand held a press conference at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Brussels to promote not only the commercial aspects of the direct flight from Brussels to Bangkok but also to touch on THAI’s strategies to counter factors impacting THAI in the competitive aviation market. In attendance were special guests H.E. Apichart Chinwanno, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. Rudi Veestraeten, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr. Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, Belgium aviation industry journalists and travel agencies.
All passengers and guests were treated to a festive reception at the boarding gate with pre-board ribbon-cutting, celebration cake, champagne, and succulent hors d’oeuvre. Onboard, when all passengers were seated and ready for take-off, Brussels Airport performed a take-off “blessing” with water sprayed onto the aircraft. Passengers continued the celebration on board when THAI President, Executive Vice President, Ambassadors, and 2011 Miss Belgium and entourage walked the cabin to greet and thanked customers for flying THAI to Thailand.