Thai continues to update and monitor its health and safety measures on all flights

Whilst Thailand has reported few cases of swine influenza, and no deaths, Thai recognises the importance of reducing the potential for its international and domestic passengers to come into contact with such infections.

Thai is a leader in the implementation of preventative health and safety measures, and has recently reviewed and updated its procedures to safeguard against the spread of swine influenza subtype H1N1, as well as setting up a Crisis Management Operations Centre (CMOC) to oversee these ongoing preventive measures. Thai's CMOC serves as a coordinating unit with internal and external departments to prevent the spread of all infectious diseases and to ensure passenger safety and confidence when flying on business or pleasure.

The preventive public health measures for swine influenza are based upon the same principles that Thai implemented during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic and for which Thai received a letter from the World Health Organization (WHO) commending the Company for responsible steps taken to protect passenger safety and reduce opportunity of contracting SARS.

Thai's preventative measures include regular deep-clean fumigation with EcoTru 1453 on board flights flown to and from high-risk countries for approximately 30-40 minutes prior to next flight departure.

36 common touch points have been identified, and are disinfected as an additional preventive measure by cleaning items in the passenger seat pocket, aircraft interior, passenger seat, galley, and lavatory on board Thai aircraft; this is implemented in addition to regular on-ground cleaning upon flight arrival and partly conducted by cabin crew for passenger hygiene while on board Thai flights, with increased cabin lavatory cleaning during flight.

The 36 common touch points are the safety pamphlet, flight wallet set, in-flight magazine, passenger overhead bin, partition, passenger cabin wall, stairway, window, movie screen, passenger seat pocket, safety seat belt, meal tray, armrest, dust passenger seat and back seat, clean and vacuum aircraft carpet and passenger seat, aircraft door, handle of aircraft door, armed-disarmed lever, door knob, food cabinets as well as internal and external fixtures, sink and counter, food cabinet shelves, food cabinet handle, trash bin area, clean kitchen floor, faucet, door knob, sink and counter, toilet flush button or handle, mirror, toilet seat, trash bin lid, toilet seat cover, latch, external and internal area of toilet, and lavatory floor.

Thai has installed special High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor (TRUE HEPA air filters) on all its aircraft, which offers the finest filtering 0.001 micron particles for clean air, guaranteeing 99.999% particle-free. TRUE HEPA air filters are guaranteed by Airbus and Boeing to keep air as pure as in hospital surgical units. For increased passenger safety, TRUE HEPA air filters on Thai's aircraft are changed more often than the recommended standard.

Thai's cabin crew have been trained to observe for possible symptoms in passengers, especially those who have respiratory problems, such as coughing or sneezing.

In such cases, surgical masks will be made available for passengers to wear to prevent spread of infection; contagious passengers will be separated from others, and cabin crew will contact the international infectious diseases unit prior to flight landing. Thai has also provided influenza vaccinations for the Company's flight crew and cabin crew annually, for the past 3-4 years.

As for ground services, Thai's staff at the check-in counter and boarding gate are also required to observe passengers for possible influenza symptoms.

Should a passenger exhibits symptoms, the case must be reported to the physician on duty at the airport to conduct a check on the symptoms. If there are any doubts to the passenger's condition, staff have the authority to refuse or deny boarding.

"There have been a small number of confirmed cases of the H1N1 swine influenza virus in Thailand, and increased surveillance and control measures are in place. All travellers arriving at airports on international flights will be thermally scanned and will be required to complete a questionnaire about their recent medical history. Passengers with a temperature of over 38°C or who exhibit influenza symptoms will be referred for further diagnosis, and any passenger with suspected H1N1 will be quarantined."

Thai has taken these measures to further protect the safety of both passengers and crew, reassuring travellers and building passenger confidence in the airline.