American Express, Thai Airways and the United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding for a "corporate partnership program

," according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Centered on air service to and from Bangkok, the deal "provides all UN agencies with the lowest corporate travel fares that Thai makes available for high volume travel [and] recognizes American Express (Thai) Co., Ltd. as the only UN travel agent." Thai Airways said the new UN arrangement--one of more than 300 contracts signed this year--covers the organization's 150 million baht (US$4 million) Thailand travel budget.