Thai Airways 45 Years Of Service At Sydney

[Grahame Hutchison]

Congratulations Thai Airways

Today Thai Airways are celebrating 45 Years of operations into Sydney Airport, a fantastic achievement. This was Thai's first intercontinental route,
linking Bangkok and Sydney via Singapore. The first service was operated by one of the airline's Douglas DC-8s, which were leased from Scandinavian
Airways who owned 30% of Thai at the time. The livery on this aircraft was the same as the current Retro Boeing B744 HS-TGP. Over the following
years we have seen Thai operate the DC-10, B747, B777 and A340 into Sydney.

Throughout the past 45 years, memorable Special Liveries include "Retro Thai International", "Amazing Thailand", "Star Alliance", "The Kings 72nd
Celebration", "Apec Thailand 2003" & "Apec".

Thai are also celebrating another milestone today, 20 years of Boeing B777 operations.

Here is a snapshot covering most of the past 45 years.

DC-10 HS-TGQ Runway 16 (not Right back then) in July 1981
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGQ NFTN-19810700-001.jpg

DC-10 HS-TGQ on Taxiway Alpha in July 1981
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGQ NFTN-19810700-002.jpg

B742 HS-TGA about to touchdown on Runway 25 18/11/1982
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGA NFTN-19821118-001.jpg

B742 HS-TGC rolling on Runway 16 while Concorde holds short on Taxiway Foxtrot
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGC NFTN-19850215-001.jpg

HS-TGD
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGD D100-2002-11-17_034.jpg

HS-TGD
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGD D100-2003-11-09_006.jpg

HS-TGD
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGD D100-2003-12-13_004.jpg

HS-TGL
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGL D100-2005-11-13_005.jpg

HS-TND
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TND D200-2006-03-05_408.jpg

HS-TND
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TND D200-2006-03-05_409.jpg

HS-TND
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TND D200-2006-03-05_410.jpg

HS-TND
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TND D200-2006-03-05_411.jpg

HS-TJT
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TJT D300-2009-05-16_161.jpg

HS-TJT
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TJT D300-2009-05-16_130.jpg

HS-TJR
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TJR D300-2007-12-29_035.jpg

[Grahame Hutchison]

HS-TJT
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TJT D300-2009-05-16_164.jpg


Here are some of the special liveries we have seen over the years

HS-TGP This was the livery on the first Thai Airways DC-8 service from Bangkok to Sydney via Singapore
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGP D300-20130817-126.jpg

HS-TGJ
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGJ D100-2002-12-13_025.jpg

HS-TGW
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGW D100-2005-04-13_129.jpg

HS-TGZ
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGZ D100-2002-10-05_011.jpg

HS-TGJ
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGJ D100-2004-01-31_007.jpg

HS-TGH
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGH D100-2005-02-05_044.jpg

HS-TGO
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGO D100-2003-11-15_084.jpg

HS-TGW
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGW D100-2005-04-13_133.jpg

B744 HS-TGG operated the final service of the 45th Year
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGG D300-20160331-049.jpg

B744 HS-TGZ operated the first service of the 46th Year this morning
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=HS-TGZ D300-20160401-015.jpg

Passengers for Thai Airways B744 VH-TGZ return service to Bangkok this morning, were greeted with Thai coloured balloons, flowers, and Check-In
monitors recognizing the 45 Years of operation at Sydney Airport.
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=MEDIA D300-20160401-020 Final.jpg

[Paul F]

Monitors show Australia 45 years not Sydney;)

[Grahame Hutchison]

Didn't notice that one Paul, good pickup, however Sydney was their first intercontinental destination.

[Nigel C]

Thai used to fly passenger MD-11's to Sydney too.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Yep Nigel, but unfortunately I never shot any images of them. Would love to have had a Thai DC-8 image, I have Air New Zealand, Flying Tigers and Kerry Packers.

I was also told that Thai operated the A300/A310 into Sydney via Bali, but apparently it was only for a very short time.

[Terence W]

Brilliant photo history Grahame - thanks for sharing!

[Greg Hyde]

Nice shots, Grahame

Brings back good memories.

My first international flight was on a Thai DC-10 (HS-TGA) in 1977 to Singapore

[James R]

Yep - MD-11 used to operate the second daily service TG993/994 when it went via MEL outbound.

[Neil L]

Thanks Grahame for sharing your photo display on Thai.

Some great shots.

Remember travelling on their DC-8-63 SYD-BKK-THR-FCO-LHR in 1974.

Long flight but memorable.

[Donesh I.]

Grahame, your photos and locations are the best. Your description most educational. You rule! I bow before you Sensei.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Thanks Donesh, I appreciate your kind words - this has been a life long passion that still excites, surprises and still provides great satisfaction.