OBITUARY: Chatrachai Bunya-Ananta
ONE of Thai Airways International’s most popular and influential executives, Chatrachai Bunya-Ananta, passed away in Bangkok last month, aged 82.
Khun Chai, as he was popularly known, was vice president for marketing at THAI for 14 years from 1972. Throughout that period, he was key to making the national flag-carrier one of the world’s most admired airlines, with service standards that surpassed all rivals.
ONE of Thai Airways International’s most popular and influential executives, Chatrachai Bunya-Ananta, passed away in Bangkok last month, aged 82.
Khun Chai, as he was popularly known, was vice president for marketing at THAI for 14 years from 1972. Throughout that period, he was key to making the national flag-carrier one of the world’s most admired airlines, with service standards that surpassed all rivals.
By the time of his retirement in 1992, THAI was among seven Asia-Pacific carriers in the top 10 most profitable airlines in the world. He became the airline’s executive vice president in 1986, and prior to retirement in 1992 was its first non-air force president.
Anyone who has flown Thai International will be familiar with Chatrachai-era touches: “Smooth as Silk”; the unforgettable logo; purple orchids; traditional Thai uniforms on departure, and modern attire on arrival.
He also made sure Thai International engaged in national tourism promotions in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and other industry bodies. Many miss the enthusiastic national team spirit he personified.
Chatrachai was educated in the UK in the 1950s, attending Cardiff University where, as an outstanding badminton, squash and tennis player, he was named sportsman of the year. He retained great affection for the UK, where he met his wife Shirley Weekes.
Chatrachai is survived by his wife; daughter Tania and her daughter Alexia Traill; daughter Anna, son-in-law Tom Whitcraft, and their son Nicholas Chatrachai Whitcraft. – DF
Anyone who has flown Thai International will be familiar with Chatrachai-era touches: “Smooth as Silk”; the unforgettable logo; purple orchids; traditional Thai uniforms on departure, and modern attire on arrival.
He also made sure Thai International engaged in national tourism promotions in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and other industry bodies. Many miss the enthusiastic national team spirit he personified.
Chatrachai was educated in the UK in the 1950s, attending Cardiff University where, as an outstanding badminton, squash and tennis player, he was named sportsman of the year. He retained great affection for the UK, where he met his wife Shirley Weekes.
Chatrachai is survived by his wife; daughter Tania and her daughter Alexia Traill; daughter Anna, son-in-law Tom Whitcraft, and their son Nicholas Chatrachai Whitcraft. – DF
