Thai Airways is negotiating with both Airbus and Boeing for a possible record order of 30 aircraft, a Thai Airways executive said on Friday, deepening speculation over the potential USD$9 billion purchase.

Airbus has proposed A350 wide-body jets while Boeing has proposed its 787 Dreamliner, said the senior executive, who declined to be identified because the negotiations were private.

"We have to use more than 30 aircraft and we have asked Boeing and Airbus to propose details about their planes," he said, adding that the A350s could be used for heavy cargo routes and the 787s could be used on light cargo routes.

The orders, which would require delivery between 2015-2020, coincide with intensifying competition in Asia's skies.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific said this month it had placed orders for 30 Airbus aircraft at a list price of USD$7.8 billion and intends to exercise existing rights to buy six Boeing 777-300ER jets.

Thai Airways has already firmed up a previously announced commitment to buy seven Airbus A330-300 wide-bodied jets, worth around USD$1.5 billion.

The Thai Airways executive noted the A350 had not yet entered production while the 787 could be delivered in 2016, and that the state-controlled flag carrier was weighing up how each aircraft would fit with the airline's strategic and marketing plans.

"Thai Air management has to carefully consider the plane order and propose the plan to cabinet for approval," he said adding Thai Airways should be able to place the order by the end of this year.

Thai Airways, which plans to raise THB15 billion baht (USD$475 million) via a share issue, plans to launch road shows from September 4 to promote the share sales in the United States, Europe, Hong Kong and Singapore, the executive said.

The offer price is expected to be concluded through a book-building exercise by September 16 with a subscription period from September 17-22. The new shares are expected to be traded from October 4, according to documents approved by the airline's board.