Thaïcom 5 arrives on 22 April 2006 at Rochambeau airport, Cayenne, waiting to be transported to the S5C launch payload facility and prepared for Ariane Flight 171 (V171) lifting off on 26 May 2006.
Thaïcom 5 is based on Alcatel Alenia Space's Spacebus satellite design, and it will join the fleet of Thailand's Shin Satellite Public Company Limited.