KOCHI: Thai Airways International, the national flag carrier of Thailand, is looking into the possibility of connecting Kochi directly with Thailand, said PisanManawapat, Thai ambassador to India, on Monday. He will discuss this matter during his meeting with chief minister OommenChandy on Tuesday.
"I want to know whether it will be sustainable for Thai Airways to connect Kochi with Bangkok. Thai Airways' office in Bangalore had made some enquiries but they haven't received enough information from the state government - perhaps the private sector can convince the airline that a direct flight will be sustainable," Manawapat said during an interactive session of delegates from the Association of South East Asian Nations ( Asean), organized by the Confederation of the Indian Industry (CII).
On the other hand, when Manawapat met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in last May, the first question from Modi was whether Thai Airways could operate direct flights from Thailand to Ahmedabad. "All possible incentives within the power of the state were offered - even he offered a subsidy on the fuel costs for the first three years of operation," Manawapat said. However, he doesn't expect the Kerala government to offer a subsidy for fuels.
"We want to know whether the Kerala government welcomes additional direct flights or not. Secondly, if they welcome it, what kind of support the government will give. I also want the state government to hold a road show to support Kerala Tourism in Thailand, because when you operate a direct flight, you need local Thai people to come to Kochi. At the moment, the public in Thailand doesn't know enough about Kochi or Kerala," Manawapat said.
He will also be scouting for opportunities for Thai companies in the processed food sector. CP, a Thai multi-national with presence in Punjab, Karnataka and Maharashtra, is interested in the state market.
Also, Thailand will explore the opportunities in infrastructure and tourism in Kerala. "I want to find out what is the plan for the state government on infrastructure. Are they building affordable houses for the poor, or are they building more airports, highways and metros? I want to find out how much support the government will offer to the Thai companies and this is going to be my learning mission," Manawapat said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Thai-Airways-looking-for-Kochi-connection/articleshow/19200382.cms
"I want to know whether it will be sustainable for Thai Airways to connect Kochi with Bangkok. Thai Airways' office in Bangalore had made some enquiries but they haven't received enough information from the state government - perhaps the private sector can convince the airline that a direct flight will be sustainable," Manawapat said during an interactive session of delegates from the Association of South East Asian Nations ( Asean), organized by the Confederation of the Indian Industry (CII).
On the other hand, when Manawapat met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in last May, the first question from Modi was whether Thai Airways could operate direct flights from Thailand to Ahmedabad. "All possible incentives within the power of the state were offered - even he offered a subsidy on the fuel costs for the first three years of operation," Manawapat said. However, he doesn't expect the Kerala government to offer a subsidy for fuels.
"We want to know whether the Kerala government welcomes additional direct flights or not. Secondly, if they welcome it, what kind of support the government will give. I also want the state government to hold a road show to support Kerala Tourism in Thailand, because when you operate a direct flight, you need local Thai people to come to Kochi. At the moment, the public in Thailand doesn't know enough about Kochi or Kerala," Manawapat said.
He will also be scouting for opportunities for Thai companies in the processed food sector. CP, a Thai multi-national with presence in Punjab, Karnataka and Maharashtra, is interested in the state market.
Also, Thailand will explore the opportunities in infrastructure and tourism in Kerala. "I want to find out what is the plan for the state government on infrastructure. Are they building affordable houses for the poor, or are they building more airports, highways and metros? I want to find out how much support the government will offer to the Thai companies and this is going to be my learning mission," Manawapat said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Thai-Airways-looking-for-Kochi-connection/articleshow/19200382.cms
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