Thai President Quits

[Jai Dee]

THAI president quits

Thai Airways International (THAI) president Flying Officer Apinan Sumanaseni tendered his resignation on Tuesday (November 25), effective on January 1, 2009, citing his disagreement with the THAI's board of directors and health problems. Air Chief Marshal Narongsak Sangkapong, a THAI senior executive, would be acting president.

Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transport, in his capacity as Chairman of THAI's board, Mr. Surachai Thansitpongstated, said that Flying Officer Apinan submitted his resignation claiming traditional health problem and his being unable to work in response to the policies of some board of directors. THAI board has already endorsed his resignation.

He affirmed that the president's decision was not politically motivated.

THAI labour union chairperson Mrs. Chamsri Sukchokeratamsri disclosed that she was aware of the president's resignation in advance and acceded his decision. She ensured no demonstration to be held to help the outgoing THAI president. However, she suggested that the newly elect president should be free from political intervention and should be an expert.

A THAI board member, asking for anonymity, said that one of Fying Officer Apinan's major disagreements with the board was Ahis opposition to changes to the terms of a leasing package for eight new A330-300 jetliners to be procured by the national carrier.

On June 19, the Cabinet decided that the aircraft should be acquired by operating lease method, instead of through financial leasing.

According to the Ministry of Transport, financial leasing would be more beneficial to the national airline than operating leases, as it would give the carrier flexibility when it had to selling or scrapping the aircrafts. Whereas operating leases did not allow this, although the aircrafts were considered parts of its assets.

Mr. Surachai said ACM Narongsak Sangkapong, a senior executive, had been named as acting president. "The board approved the resignation unanimously. The move had nothing to do with political intervention," he said.

Meanwhile, a THAI board meember said Fying Officer Apinant was being probed for alleged corruption in arranging overseas hotel accommodation for THAI staffs. As a result, he had been under pressure to resign from the top post.

He was earlier suspended from active duty when Mr. Chaisawad Kittipornpaibul was THAI chairman, but he was quickly reinstated.

Meanwhile, Minister of Transport Mr. Santi Promphat denied there was political pressure for Flying Office Apinan to quit after a THAI pilot refused to fly his aircraft with government MPs on board during previous anti-government rallies.

"Please don't say that he hass decided to quit to avoid further investigation into alleged corruption," Mr. Santi said, adding that the resignation was unlikely to affect the national carrier's operations.

Flying Officer Apinan was appointed THAI president in May 2006.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 26 November 2008