Staff protest against flip-flop on position
AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
The board of Thai Airways International (THAI) yesterday confirmed the reinstatement of airline president Apinan Sumanaseni amid growing calls within the company for him to quit for poor performance. A group of THAI employees, including flight captains, vowed to expose irregularities under Mr Apinan's administration next week.
The board earlier resolved to suspend Mr Apinan and appointed executive vice-president Norahuch Ployyai as acting president on Thursday afternoon. It reversed its decision in the evening after facing a protest by a group of pilots.
Another group of pilots and THAI staff yesterday protested against the board's reversal. As a result, the board called an urgent meeting yesterday and resolved to go back to square one by cancelling all earlier resolutions made on Thursday, reinstating Mr Apinan as the president.
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| Thai Airways International staff picket at the airline headquarters and demand the resignation of THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni. They claim Mr Apinan has underperformed and have questioned the airline's aircraft procurement plan. The board reportedly suspended the president on Thursday only to reverse the decision hours later. — Apichit Jinakul |
The board stressed the need for management and the board to work together to help the airline cope with high oil prices and economic difficulties.
''I'd like us all to put the company first. From what I've heard, the board and the president are doing their best for the company,'' Transport Minister Santi Promphat said yesterday.
''They may have had some differences but problems are there to be solved. We need to join hands,'' the minister said.
''The resolution passed earlier is for the board to amend,'' he insisted.
The board had thought Mr Apinan was underperforming and unable to mend internal conflicts in the company.
Protests by the THAI union and pilots on Thursday forced THAI board chairman Chaisawasd Kittipornpaiboon to overrule the suspension decision.
Emerging from yesterday's special meeting, Mr Chaisawasd said restructuring the organisation would help ease tensions.
The displeasure of certain groups over past transfers and appointments should be addressed, he said. The board will look into each position with information provided by Mr Apinan.
Meanwhile, 200 technical staff, led by pilot management director Porpong Sapakit, rallied near the airline's headquarters demanding the removal of Mr Apinan and Mr Chaisawasd. They expressed disappointment that the board had rescinded its decision to sack Mr Apinan.
They shouted and held banners, saying Mr Chaisawasd defied the board resolution. Mr Porpong said THAI staff opposed to Mr Apinan's reinstatement would petition the transport minister and THAI board over THAI's plans to order eight new planes from Airbus, which breached a cabinet resolution to lease the aircraft.
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