The Thailand government has approved the proposal to allow Thai Airways International Plc to incorporate its fully owned subsidiary, Thai Smile Airways Company. Thai Smile that will become operational in 2014 will offer a fare that is lower than that of Thai Airways by 15–20 per cent. Some of the routes to be transferred to the newly constituted subsidiary are Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Koh Samui, China, Macau, Colombo, and India. The new airline will not follow the business approach of Nok Air; rather, it will cater to a market that falls between a budget carrier and a full-service airline.
