THAI AIRWAYS board has approved in principal a plan to buy seven Boeing 747-400 aircraft from US carrier United Airlines subject to cabinet approval, the government still owning 93% of the airline. Thai Airways, which currently has 81 aircraft, has already purchased two new Boeing 747-400 aircraft under its current five-year plan. Three of the ex-UA aircraft are expected to be in service by the year end. http://www.thaiairways.com