Qatar Airways celebrates strong ties with Thailand at gala event

Qatar Airways has hosted a private gala dinner with influential business leaders, industry experts and heads of commerce to help complete the celebrations for the launch of its newest route to Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The exclusive gala dinner was attended by HE Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, the Minister of Transport and Communications, who hosted an array of trade and industry representatives alongside Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker. Thai ambassador to Qatar Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum travelled from Doha to Chiang Mai on the inaugural flight to participate in the event.
The private event also welcomed Qatari ambassador to Thailand Sheikh Jassim al-Thani, who travelled from Bangkok to be part of the Qatari delegation. Other representatives included leaders from the tourist industry, local businesses and major industry associations, representing companies from across Thailand.
HE al-Sulaiti said, “Qatar Airways’ new route to Chiang Mai from Doha recognises the very important ties of friendship and commerce that exist between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Thailand. It is a relationship that will only grow stronger thanks to the launch of this new service and one which we are delighted to pay tribute to tonight.
“Qatar is a nation that deeply understands and appreciates the importance of friendship between countries and their peoples. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the people of Thailand through the launch of this new connection.”
Al-Baker noted, “It has been an honour to mark the start of this, our new four-times-weekly service from Doha to Chiang Mai, in the company of so many illustrious guests, including so many important government officials, influential business leaders and heads of commerce.
“We have been warmly welcomed by the people of Chiang Mai who have come together to recognise the importance of our new route into Thailand’s second biggest city. I feel very confident this new route will prove fruitful for Qatar’s national flag carrier, for the people of Thailand and good for the significant tourism industry here. We look forward to working closely with all of the guests who joined us here at tonight’s event to cement the strong bonds that exist between the State of Qatar and Thailand.”
Chiang Mai is the airline’s fourth gateway into Thailand, continuing Qatar Airways’ rapid expansion into the country to meet the growing demand from tourists, the Doha-based carrier has said in a statement. The airline is also to launch a fifth Thai destination to Pattaya on January 28, 2018.
As Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai is famous for its relaxed lifestyle, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year who travel from around the world to see its hundreds of ancient and beautiful temples, nearby rainforest reserves, stunning mountain scenery and peaceful country villages. The ever-growing tourist industry is just one reason so many international businesses have relocated to make Chiang Mai their home. Businesses have also taken advantage of the city’s infrastructure, including direct international flight connections to all the major countries in the region, including flights with Qatar Airways’ codeshare partner, Bangkok Airways.
Qatar Airways will continue to expand its global network in 2018 by adding flights to Canberra, Australia; Penang, Malaysia and Cardiff, UK, in the coming months.