Reader David passes along a Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus bonus for flying Thai metal internationally through July 15: no registration required, 500 bonus miles for coach, 1000 for premium economy, 1500 for business class, and 2500 for first class.  Fare classes V and W are ineligible for the bonus.

Thai is promoting this as a celebration of the carrier’s 50th anniversary.  You’d think they might throw a bit of a bigger party, especially to get folks to come in light of the recent unpleasantness in Bangkok.

The bonus isn’t likely enough to generate incremental business — whether in terms of a discretionary trip, shifting business to Thai that would have gone to another carrier, or even crediting miles to Royal Orchid Plus that might have been credited elsewhere.

But if you’re flying Thai internationally anyway, and crediting to Royal Orchid Plus, then more miles are better than not having more miles no matter how modest.

Too bad you can’t qualify for an Amtrak partner at the same time…