Thai Airways sacks CEO after flood-linked flight chaos in Bangkok

Bangkok, October 2 — Thailand's national airline, Thai Airways, dismissed its chief executive on Friday in the wake of flight disruptions and baggage mishaps attributed to the flooding in the city, according to local media accounts. The country's tourism minister had previously criticized the airline for its handling of the floods, which were officially declared a city-wide disaster on Saturday.

Thai Airways' CEO, Chai Eamsiril, had offered an apology on behalf of the company and committed to resolving over 5,000 bags that remained aboard the airline's flights left at Bangkok's principal Suvarnabhumi airport. However, reports from media outlets such as Thai PBS indicated that the board removed him on Friday, effective immediately.

The airport had cited staff being unable to reach their posts as the cause of the baggage predicament. Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul accused Thai Airways management of resigning if they failed to address the delays, pointing out that it was tarnishing Thailand's image and hurting its vital tourism industry. Bangkok experienced a flood disaster on the weekend following nearly 48 hours of continuous rainfall, and several areas remained submerged on Friday.

Four individuals lost their lives, and at least two dozen more perished in floods across the Southeast Asian nation. The airline disclosed that it canceled 24 flights on Thursday and Friday and was gearing up to run its complete schedule on Saturday. It extended its apologies to passengers and vowed to refine its management protocols. Chai Eamsiril joined Thai Airways in 1985 and assumed the role of chief executive in February 2023.