=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2004/07/28/f= inancial2306EDT0001.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, July 28, 2004 (AP) Thai Airways to buy 14 planes over five years (07-28) 20:06 PDT BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Thai Airways International will buy 14 new planes as part of a five-year effort to become the leading carrier in Southeast Asia, a company statement said. The airline will buy the planes, including six long-range aircraft, between 2005 and 2010 to expand the carrier's routes and increase flight frequency, particularly to the United States and Australia, according to the statement Wednesday. The purchases are part of a long-term plan approved by the Thai Airways board "to become the region's leading carrier by acquiring modern, high technology aircraft," the statement said. The statement did not say what brand of aircraft the company would buy, but The Nation newspaper reported that the acquisition would include eight Airbus and six Boeing jets. Separately, Thai Airways is awaiting the delivery of eight Airbus long-range jetliners it ordered last year. Last August, the government approved a budget of 44.3 billion baht ($1.12 billion) for the purchase of five A340-600s and three A340-500s. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004 AP