Thai Smile Air, the regional unit of Thai Airways will begin flying to the Cambodian tourist hotspot Siem Reap next month.
The carrier will start 10 flights a week from Bangkok to Siem Reap from February 1, using all-economy Airbus A-320 aircraft.
"Smile Air had to build its market under the codeshare with Thai Airways, but now the airline can be independent and have its own flight movements," said Sinn Chanserey Vutha, spokesman for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation.
"Thai Smile Air operates like an LCC because its business model aims at competing with other LCCs and domestic carriers," said Vutha.
Thai Airways operates 17 weekly flights from Bangkok to Cambodian capital Phnom Penh but this will be its first time in the Siem Reap market.
The route is currently served by AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and Cambodia’s Angkor Air.
Singapore Airlines’ sister carrier SilkAir also flies to Siem Reap 13 times weekly from Singapore.
"It is a good sign for Cambodia when there are more new airlines, and it reflects the ability of Angkor Wat temple to build the Kingdom’s reputation and attract more tourists," said Ang Kim Eang, president of Cambodia Travel Agent Association.
