AirAsia's Thai unit launches Phuket flights with 17 cent promo fare

Thai AirAsia will launch in November a new budget service from Singapore to the Thai resort of Phuket at a promotional fare of 29 Singapore cents (17 US cents) for a one-way ticket, the carrier said Tuesday.

The promotional fares will be offered for 3,000 seats for travel starting November 5, the day the carrier starts its service to Phuket, until March 26, 2005, Thai AirAsia said in a statement.

All bookings must be made with the carrier's website from Wednesday till the end of the month.

The normal one-way fare to Phuket will start from 49.99 dollars when the promotional period is over.

Thai AirAsia is a joint venture between Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd. and Thai telecommunication giant Shin Corp. owned by the family of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thai AirAsia is locked in a fierce battle with Singapore-based Tiger Airways which is due to start its maiden flights on Wednesday.

Both carriers have slashed fares to Bangkok in a bid to lay claim as being the lowest cost budget airlines in the region.