Published: 16/05/2011 at 12:00 AM
The cabin interiors of Thai Airways International planes will get a dramatic makeover as part of a comprehensive multi-billion-baht plan to usher in a new era for the 51-year-old flag carrier.
THAI president Piyasvasti Amranand (dark suit) and executive board member Apiporn Pasawat (right) view a presentation made by a shortlisted design company last week.
The airline has acknowledged that its cabins look dull, dated and less appealing to passengers when compared with those of rivals.
Executives believe the cabins need a facelift if the airline is to appeal to discerning passengers, said an insider who is knowledgeable about the subject.
"It won't be just a superficial cosmetic change, but a profound makeover with extensive work never undertaken before at the airline," he said.
Four leading personalities knowledgeable about interior design, Thai arts, architecture and colour are helping the airline determine the new design.
Serving as unpaid advisers for THAI are M.L. Sudavadee Kriangkrai, managing director of Chujak Interior Design and Construction Ltd; M.R. Powari Suchiva, managing director of Powarint Ltd; Rujiraporn Wanglee, managing director of P. Interior Associates Ltd; and Piyanan Prasarnrakit, colour design consultant of TOA Paint Co.
They have provided initial input to five cabin interior design companies to ensure they meet the contemporary Thai theme.
Vying for the job, estimated to be worth about US$2 million, are three companies from the UK _ Acumen & Honour, Priestman Goode, and James Park Associates _ in addition to the Swiss designer Design Investment Sarl and Tokyo-based LIFT Strategic Design.
The airline is expected to announce the bid winner by the end of this month, according to sources at THAI.
It will take another six months for the selected company and THAI to come up with a new design. It will be applied to existing aircraft due for retrofitting and at least to the first batch of jetliners THAI will get over the next 12 years.
The first aircraft to feature the new design will be THAI's existing Airbus A340-500 and A340-600 jetliners, to be followed by its Boeing B777-200ERs.
The first aircraft with a new cabin design is scheduled to be unveiled in the first quarter of 2013.
THAI's fleet of six A380 superjumbos, due for delivery in 2012 and 2013, will not come with the new cabin design as they were already ordered.
Though refurbishing is costly, it is seen as necessary, and some insiders have described the current interiors as uncoordinated and mix-and-match.
Under the new design concept, THAI's corporate colours _ purple, gold and pink _ will be retained but in a much more subtle manner. The design must be distinctively Thai and clearly identified with the flag carrier, the source said.
"Gone will be the candy-coloured upholstery in economy class and dim shades of purple in business class."
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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