Thai AirAsia last week dedicated one of their fleet’s Airbuses in celebration of legendary rock band, Carabao’s 30 year anniversary.
Gathering at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, AirAsia officials announced that they have painted one of their brand new Airbus A320 passenger jets and dedicated it to Carabao.
The Airbus A320 will fly between AirAsia’s 10 domestic destinations to promote Carabao’s upcoming concerts nationwide.
As part of the celebration, passengers will also be able to win collector’s items and redeem a free concert ticket by presenting their AirAsia boarding passes at all 10 AirAsia airport counters nationwide.
(L to R) Preechaya Rasametanin, Thai AirAsia’s Director of Engineering; Carabao’s Thierry, Add and Lek and Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia.
“AirAsia and Carabao have something very much in common, such as the ability to win the hearts of many people by simply being fun, friendly, and approachable. AirAsia is extremely proud to be part of this historic celebration for such a legendary band,” says Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia.
The relationship between Carabao and Thai AirAsia began about 8 years ago when Thai AirAsia first started domestic flights in Thailand. Carabao’s logo was painted onto some of the fleet, which they hoped passengers would come to realize meant that ‘everyone can fly’. The message was boosted by the theme song written by the band’s guitarist and singer Thierry Mekwattana.
Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia, talks about the promotion.
AirAsia has painted one of their brand new Airbus A320s to promote Carabao’s One Province One Concert (OPOC) initiative, where they will perform at all 76 provinces throughout Thailand. The tour started on April 1 and will run until December 15 this year.
Apart from offering the rock band’s fans a chance to travel on the new jet, AirAsia is also offering a special dish – chicken in brown sauce and pepper with rice, cooked according to Lek Carabao’s secret recipe. The dish has been offered since March and has quickly become a best seller onboard.
“AirAsia is confident that the band’s 30 year anniversary will be celebrated with great enthusiasm all year and we are delighted to be able to spread the joy for the millions of fans by offering flights to concert destinations along with activities throughout the country,” Tassapon added.
According to Preechaya Rasametanin, Thai AirAsia’s Director of Engineering, who supervised the entire painting project, “This plane truly represents the Carabao band as the artists themselves, Lek Carabao, Add Carabao and Thierry Mekwattana, whose faces are painted on the plane’s tail, were also involved in the creative decisions and elements that went into the plane’s design.
“The engineering team put great effort into making this a beautiful design for the fans and much attention was given to detail. It’s quite exciting that this plane will now be appearing in all of AirAsia’s destinations,” Preechaya said.
Towards the end of the press conference, Lek Carabao demonstrated his signature dish, sharing his mother-in-law’s recipe for chicken in brown sauce and pepper with rice for all the press to taste.
Shortly after, the entire entourage proceeded to the tarmac to see for the first time, the newly painted jet.
To celebrate the historic occasion, AirAsia’s 30 year Carabao promotion starts at THB 730 per person, one way, for domestic flights (including tax and fees). For more information, please visit www.AirAsia.com.
For flight and hotel package deals starting from THB 2,330 per person for a 3-day, 2-night stay, please visit www.AirAsiaGo.com
Carabao fans can also visit www.carabao30.com for the band’s tour and concert schedule.
Lek Carabao demonstrates his signature dish, which is now available on-board.
Add Carabao stands proudly in front of the new plane.
(L to R) Thierry Mekwattana, Add Carabao and Lek Carabao express their feelings after seeing the finished paint job for the first time.
The plane’s tail carries the picture of Thierry, Lek and Add Carabao.
The beautiful Thai AirAsia crew.
