THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Within the next three months those with GPRS equipped mobile phones will be able to complete the full booking, buying, seat allocation and check-in process for Thai Airways International (THAI) using just their handsets.

While previously somewhat of an e-Commerce laggard, THAI is set to embrace web 2.0 and mobile technology in a large way, with the aim being of increasing on-line sales from a mere 6 percent in 2009, to 15 percent this year.

Somchai Suppakitjareon, director of Thai’s e-Commerce Department, said that within three months, passengers will be able to reserve, buy tickets, and instantly complete all the processes required for travel using their mobile phone.

While the airline has previously maintained a website, Mr Somchai said, it “has been an online channel without the mission to become our main source of revenue. From now the internet is our main channel for generating revenue.”

The airlines sudden embracement of e-Commerce comes at a time when it is expected to report a profit for 2009, after reporting a loss for the first time in its history for 2008.

The airlines mobile phone strategy will target GPRS-enabled handsets using the iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Symbian, and Windows Mobile operating systems, with the aim being to attract around 100,000 mobile transactions by years end.

Other planks of the airlines e-Commerce strategy include placing internet-based kiosks in department stores, shopping centers and public areas, providing passengers with access to all the services available on the airline’s website or via mobile phones.

According to Mr Somchai, THAIs monthly online ticket sales in 2009 were only about Bt630 million ($US19 million) out of average monthly sales of Bt10,415 billion ($315 million).

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for February 26, 2010