Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, (1922 – 25 November 1977) (), also known as Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani for short, was the Emir of Qatar who ruled from 1960 to 1972. Qatar's financial status witnessed significant improvements during his reign as a result of the enrichment and discovery of several new oil fields. Qatar also gained its independence as a sovereign state in September 1971 under his rule. He was deposed in February 1972 by his cousin, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. Sheikh Ahmad was born
Surat Thani International Airport Thai Airways Flight 261, an A310-200 (HS-TIA), bound for Surat Thani from Bangkok, was making its third landing attempt in heavy rain when it crashed into a rice paddy about from the airport; 101 of the 146 passengers and crew aboard were killed. Surat Thani International Airport Surat Thani International Airport () is in the Phunphin District, Surat Thani. The airport, 21 km west of Surat Thani, also is home to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) squadrons. Surat Thani has a single paved runway. As well as being a commercial facility, Surat Thani Airport is an active RTAF base,