THAI Airways planning to open dough-fritters franchise

THAI began frying up the dough sticks, or “pa tong go”, in front of company headquarters on Silom Road last month, attracting long queues of customers from 5am every day.

To meet demand, staff have increased production from 200 to 1,000 portions per day and are generating revenue of about Bt10 million per month.

A portion of three fritters with condensed milk costs Bt30 – or an extra Bt20 with taro custard.

THAI acting president Chansin Treenuchagron said the company is now considering franchising the snack stall to meet demand.

The franchise plan is the latest effort to find new revenue sources after the THAI fleet was grounded by Covid-19 travel restrictions and the company began restructuring about Bt350 billion of debt last month.

The airline has also opened a restaurant at its head office on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road and opened its flight simulators to the public.

Meanwhile there are now seven outlets selling THAI’s dough fritters – five in Bangkok and two in Chiang Mai:

1. Puff and Pie outlet at Ortorkor Market in Bangkok every Friday, Saturday and Sunday

2. Puff and Pie outlet at THAI head office on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

3. Puff and Pie outlet at the Rak Khun Thao Fa building in Bangkok every day

4. THAI Catering restaurant at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport on Tuesdays and Thursdays

5. THAI headquarters on Silom Road Monday to Friday

6. Puff and Pie outlet on Phra Pokklao Road, Chiang Mai every Monday, Wednesday and Friday

7. Puff and Pie outlet on Suthep Road, Chiang Mai every Thursday