Boeing 737-9

Boeing in Southeast Asia

Thailand

Overview

For over 60 years, Boeing has been a strong partner and advocate of Thailand and its aviation industry. Boeing’s partnership with Thailand dates back to 1960, when Thai Airways Company, now Thai Airways International (THAI), launched its first service flight with a Douglas DC-6B from Bangkok to Hong Kong, Taipei and Tokyo.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes

Over the years, Thailand Airways International (THAI) has ordered more than 75 airplanes from Boeing, including DC-10s, MD-11s, 737s, 747s, 777s and 787 Dreamliners.

THAI, formerly Thai Airways Company, began its intercontinental services with Douglas DC-8s to Australia in 1971, and then to Europe the following year. A number of the larger Douglas DC-10 widebody trijets were acquired later in the 1970s.

THAI took delivery of its first 777 in March 1996, distinguishing the airline as the first to operate the 777 in Southeast Asia. The airplane entered revenue-generating service the following month. In 2011, a 777-200 operated by THAI conducted Asia’s first passenger biofuel flight, underlining the commitment of both Boeing and the airline to advance the use of alternative, sustainable aviation fuel.

THAI currently operates more than 50 Boeing airplanes and took delivery of its first 787-9 in September 2017.

Nok Air currently operates 14 737-800s. Thai Lion Air, a low-cost carrier in the Lion Air Group, operates 737-800 and 737-900ER (Extended Range) Airplanes.

Thailan Airways International

Boeing Defense, Space & Security

Boeing has been partnering with Thailand on its defense and security needs for almost half a century. As part of the country's defense modernization efforts, the Royal Thai Army purchase eight AH-6 in 2022 as part of a foreign military sale with deliveries through 2024. The AH-6 is a highly capable light attack/armed reconnaissance helicopter, and its superior performance, capability and versatility will be a force-multiplier for the Royal Thai Army.

Boeing continues to see some opportunities in vertical lift capabilities, including AH-64 Apache. The Apache is the world’s most advanced multirole combat helicopter used by the U.S. Army and international defense forces.

AH-6

Boeing Global Services

In 2005, THAI became one of the first airlines in the world to implement the Boeing Airplane Health Management (AHM) system — a new-age, analytics-based predictive maintenance system powered by Boeing AnalytX. AHM supports long-term fleet reliability by helping airlines identify recurring faults and trends and by serving as an early-warning system for potential future challenges.

In 2016, Boeing and Nok Air created a world class flight-training program to strengthen the capabilities of Nok Air’s rapidly expanding flight crew.

 

Community

Through impactful community investments and dedicated employee engagement, Boeing and its employees support innovative partnerships and programs that align with the company’s strategic objectives worldwide. The list of grant partners and projects in 2024 in Thailand include:

  • Kenan Foundation Asia: Train teachers to transform classrooms through STEM skills for vulnerable students in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
  • The Dulabhatorn Foundation: Provide specialized training and education for people with disabilities from Chiang Mai to find meaningful employment.
  • World Vision Foundation of Thailand: Grant access to clean drinking water in schools by providing water filtration systems to five primary schools, repairing the water filtration system of Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi province.
  • The Asia Foundation: Introduce STEM education to disadvantaged migrant children in Mae Sot, near the border of Myanmar/Thailand.

Learn more about Boeing’s global engagement strategy

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