Less than three weeks after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's complained about its food and fruit, Thai Airways International moved to punch up its menu.
The flag carrier on Tuesday signed an agreement with Doi Kham, a supplier of food and fruit sourced from several royal factories, to cater foodstuffs and produce for the airline.
More well-known brands, such as the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, would be invited to join in the future, Anussorn Naksrichum, executive vice president of THAI's aviation-business unit, said after signing the agreement.
Punchless pipeapples and sour grapes are off the menu at Thai Airways International. (Bangkok Post photo)
He said THAI had set up a committee to evaluate the menu on the planes regularly.
"The committee was formed to fulfil the policy of the prime minister, who wants to add more flavour to food for passengers," he said.
Sub Lt Anussorn said all items served on planes will be regularly evaluated and THAI will keep food or fruit popular for travellers.
One fruit that will have to go is the pineapple, which did not live up to the prime minister's expectations, he said.
"There will be no more tasteless pineapples,'' he said. "From now on passengers will get fresh, yellow ones."
Pineapples and grapes were targeted by the prime minister Feb 26 during talks at the Stock Exchange of Thailand on the need to restructure state enterprises.
"If you want to find tasteless grapes, go on board THAI planes," he said. "Pineapples too," he added. "Their colour is pale and they are tasteless."
Sub Lt Anussorn did not mention the fate of the grapes.
He said the airline has improved the menu since November and more passengers were happy with what they were offered during in-flight service.
Only about 10% of THAI customers praised the food in the past and now half were satisfied with the menu, he added.