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Thai Version

PREFACE

            Thailand has participated in developing international air law from the outset even before the invention of the world’s first aeroplane by the Wright Brothers. To exemplify, it signed and ratified the 1899 Balloon Declaration during the reign of King Rama V, and the 1919 Paris Convention during the reign of King Rama VI. Furthermore, during the previous century, Thailand not merely concluded hundreds of aeronautical agreements with various countries, but also became a Party to dozens of aviation-related treaties. This was a cardinal factor in rendering the aviation standards of Thailand equivalent to those of other civilized nations.

            Fifty years ago, the Civil Aviation Board of Thailand published some of the aforesaid agreements. Unfortunately, the practice disappeared after a few years. This caused the interruption, discontinuance and circumscribing of knowledge and understanding of the subject. In order to keep the public cognizant of the development of international air law, the Department of Aviation of Thailand, therefore, would like to publish the relevant instruments under the editorship of its officers, namely Mr. Prasert Pompongsuk and his collaborators. It should be noted that some of the Thai translations presented in this book are solely personal; some are official but are not formal. Nonetheless, the Department of Aviation is still of the opinion that such a translation should be made public in the interim due to the non-existence of formal translations.

            The Department of Aviation feels confident that this publication will benefit both the general public and practitioners, in the private and public sectors. The book can be used as a reference for students, graduates and scholars studying courses, related to International Law, International Relations, International Business, History of Aviation, Transport Economics, Transport Management, Aviation Industry and Geography of Air Transport.

            Finally, the Department of Aviation would like to express its gratitude to:

            1. Professor Dr. Arun Panupong, Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and Professor Dr. Michael Milde, Former Director of the ICAO Legal Bureau, for contributing the forewords to this work;

            2. The Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, the Department of Business Economics and the Thai Red Cross Society for providing the relevant translations; and

            3. All persons involved in the realization of the book for their support, synergy and steadfastness.
 
 

(Supote  Kumpeera)
Director General
Department of Aviation, Thailand
21 May 2001