The board of Thai Airways International (THAI), chaired by Lavaron Sangsnit, dismissed chief executive officer Chai Eamsiri on October 2, following widespread flight disruption and severe baggage backlogs at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) during flooding in Bangkok that began on September 25.
The board cited persistent operational failures, from extensive flight delays to breakdowns in baggage handling and wider ground services, and said the problems have prompted a formal enquiry into the accountability of senior executive management.
More than 10,000 bags accumulated over the past week at the airport, drawing intense public scrutiny of the multiple service roles THAI manages at Bangkok’s main international gateway.
The board appointed Samrit Samniang, a THAI board member and former executive of PTT Exploration and Production, as full-time acting chief executive officer, tasking him with stabilising operations and clearing the backlogs.
Chai’s departure comes despite the airline’s recent financial turnaround after years of court-supervised rehabilitation. However, the carrier’s status, no longer a fully state-owned enterprise yet not entirely a private entity, continues to subject its management to heightened public accountability and political pressure.
Chai’s contract was due to end on January 31, 2027, and THAI had been recruiting a new CEO, with applications closing on September 30
THAI said after the board meeting that it will re-examine its management structure to prevent a recurrence of the disruption.
