The long time relationship between Thai Airways enabled Thai Airways to lease two DC-10s from KSSU - members KLM and UTA, which were the second widebody type in the fleet and needed 
to face the low-price competition from Air Siam. A third was leased from Air Afrique and the first aircraft, #85 from UTA, arrived on March 30th. The aircraft were used on the routes to Sydney, London, Frankfurt and Copenhagen and replaced in 1977 by two own aircraft. In the 1980ws, more destinations were added to the network of the DC-10, for example Zurich and Amsterdam. Thai sold the two DC-10s in 1987, but added three new DC-10-30ER to their fleet which replaced the two "standard" 30s which went to SAS. All three DC-10-30ERs remained active until 1998 when they were sold to Northwest Airlines. Thais DC-10 services are now operated by 777-200/300 and MD-11. Beside that aircraft, also 747-300/400, A330, A300 and 737-400.
Photos:
Right: Thai Airways DC-10, Zurich, July1998 - BY MARTIN STEINER
