Bangkok Post
Thai Airways CEO ousted over flood mishaps
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The board of Thai Airways International on Friday dismissed chief executive officer Chai Eamsiri following the widespread mismanagement of flight schedules and severe baggage backlogs during the heavy flooding in Bangkok that started on Sept 25.
Key facts
- The board of Thai Airways International on Friday dismissed chief executive officer Chai Eamsiri following the widespread mismanagement of flight schedules and severe baggage backlogs during the heavy flooding in Bangkok that started on
- The board cited persistent operational failures, ranging from extensive flight delays and baggage handling chaos to broader ground service breakdowns, as the rationale for Mr Chai's termination, noting that the issues have sparked a formal
- Chai Eamsiri joined Thai Airways in 1985, rising through the ranks to become its chief financial officer before being appointed CEO in 2023
- Mr Chai, who has publicly apologised for the chaos that hit operations at Suvarnabhumi airport, joined the national carrier in 1985, rising through the ranks to become its chief financial officer before being appointed CEO in 2023.
- Thai Airways went into bankruptcy-protected restructuring in 2020, reducing its workforce by half and trimming its fleet, before achieving a turnaround in its finances.
- Its shares resumed trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in August 2025, after it exited its debt restructuring programme.
Summary
The board cited persistent operational failures, ranging from extensive flight delays and baggage handling chaos to broader ground service breakdowns, as the rationale for Mr Chai's termination, noting that the issues have sparked a formal inquiry into the accountability of senior executive management.
Led by chairman Lavaron Sangsnit, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Finance, the board resolved to appoint Samrit Samniang as full-time acting chief executive officer in place of Mr Chai, tasking him with urgently resolving the operational crises plaguing the national flag carrier.