Thai Doctor Starts Airline.

Byline: Boonsong Kositchotethana

Aug. 6--With most carriers just about to fly out of the turbulence resulting from the Iraq war and Sars outbreak, a Thai allergy doctor who is a complete stranger to the aviation business is embarking on a new international airline that will operate out of Bangkok.

Thai Pacific Airlines (TPA) is operated by Thai Pacific Airlines Business Co. Dr Wasant Singhamanee, the owner of the Mor Wasant Allergy Clinic in Bangkok's Lat Phrao area, is the major shareholder.

The existence of the airline was made known only this week, shortly after Deputy Transport Minister Pichet Sathirachawal granted it the traffic rights to operate scheduled services from Bangkok to four destinations -- Sydney, Seoul, Osaka and Honolulu -- according to industry sources.

TPA has expressed an intention to start a daily service from Bangkok to Sydney on Oct 1 this year before flying to other destinations early next year.

The routes duplicate those of Thai Airways International (THAI), the national carrier, and other regional airlines that have been competing fiercely on the sector.

The emergence of TPA, the seventh airline in Thailand, came as a surprise to the aviation industry. Many questioned the timing of the launch, as the difficulties that have plagued the industry are not fully over.