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Minister may change Thai Airways board
September 20th 2019
Minister unhappy about the flag carrier’s under-performance. New fleet approval awaits. Read More »
Thailand transport minister Saksayam Chidchob is reserving the right to change the board of Thai Airways International. The ministry is changing boards under its supervision, which include Airports of Thailand, Expressway Authority of Thailand and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority.
"I insist I have a reason for new board appointments,” Saksayam told the Bangkok Post. “Who would transfer the board which makes profits?” He directly addressed the national carrier by saying: "As for THAI, everyone knows it's just how the board performed.”
Saksayam did not say if the board would be changed or which positions might be considered for replacement. Ekniti Nitithanprapas was appointed THAI chairman in June 2018. Since then, THAI like most carriers, has under-performed because of increasing fuel prices. Thailand is struggling with a Chinese tourism downturn while THAI specifically faces various structural challenges, including an ageing fleet it has been trying to replace but does not yet have final approval.
While Saksayam did not compare THAI to other state-owned enterprises under the Transport Ministry, the Bangkok Post said other transport companies in Thailand are out-performing the national carrier. However, THAI competes in a liberalised market whereas other state companies, like the airport operator, do not face such competition.
