Thai Airways' chief executive officer, Chai Eamsiri, was dismissed by the airline’s board on October 2 following a review of the carrier’s handling of severe flooding in Bangkok last week. The board did not provide a clear reason for the decision, according to Chai, who said the board wanted to investigate potential shortcomings and mistakes in the company's response during the crisis.
The airline confirmed in a filing to the stock exchange that Chai had been suspended pending a fact-finding investigation and an assessment of its crisis management procedures. Sumrid Sumneing, a director at Thai Airways, was named acting CEO in the interim.
The service disruptions stemmed from widespread flooding that affected Bangkok, particularly around Suvarnabhumi Airport, the airline’s main hub. The city endured approximately 320 millimeters of rain over three days—surpassing its usual monthly rainfall for September—prompting authorities to declare the capital a disaster-affected zone. The floods caused significant operational issues for Thai Airways, leading to the cancellation of dozens of flights and suspension of cargo services. Employee absenteeism due to flooded roads further compounded operational challenges. Passengers experienced substantial baggage delays, necessitating support from the Royal Thai Air Force to clear backlogs at the airport.
The airline’s crisis management drew criticism from the Thai government. Tourism Minister Surasak Phanchaerworakul publicly reprimanded Thai Airways on September 29, emphasizing the need for proactive leadership and stating that if management was unwilling to fulfill their responsibilities, they should resign.
Chai, who assumed the CEO role earlier this year after beginning his career at Thai Airways in 1985 and serving as chief financial officer, had issued a public apology for the disruptions caused by the floods. The airline operates a fleet of 84 aircraft serving 61 destinations across 27 countries as of June 30.
Thai Airways has undergone significant restructuring since entering bankruptcy protection in 2020, which involved slashing its workforce by half and reducing its fleet size. The carrier has since made progress toward financial recovery and resumed trading on the stock exchange in August after completing its debt restructuring program. The company now faces heightened scrutiny over its crisis preparedness as it seeks to maintain operational stability amid Thailand’s challenging weather conditions.