Lion Air (JT, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) is set to become the latest foreign operator to enter the lucrative Thai market with reports that its Thai subsidiary, Thai Lion Air (SL, Bangkok Don Mueang), will become operational before the end of the year. Though still in the process of being certified by the Thai authorities, Thai Lion will use an initial fleet of two B737-900(ER)s to serve Kuala Lumpur International and Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta from its Bangkok Don Mueang base where it will compete with Nok Air (DD, Bangkok Don Mueang) and Thai AirAsia (FD, Bangkok Don Mueang). It also plans to serve Chiang Mai domestically. Lion Air has yet to disclose the majority 51% partner in the airline, in which it will hold a 49% stake. CAPA writes that the airline will follow the Low Cost model and unlike its Malay cousin, Malindo Air (Kuala Lumpur International), it will provide an all-economy no-frills service.