Former THAI executive wants probe into grounded fleet

Former THAI executive wants probe into grounded fleet

Yothin Pamornmontree, second right, files his request at Government House's complaint centre in Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
Yothin Pamornmontree, second right, files his request at Government House's complaint centre in Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

A former senior executive of Thai Airways International (THAI) has asked the prime minister to investigate the grounding of 10 Airbus A340 aircraft bought by the national flag carrier in the face of objections to the purchase.

Filing his request at the Government House complaints centre on Thursday, Yothin Pamornmontree, a former vice president of the airline, called for an inquiry into the purchase of the Airbus A340-500s and A340-600s which are currently not being used.

The deal should be studied for its transparency and investment worthiness, Mr Yothiun said. The airline had proceeded with the purchase even though the National Economic and Social Development Board had objected to it.

Use of the aircraft had caused an annual loss of 3-5 billion baht to THAI, and so they had to be grounded.   They were parked at Don Mueang and U-Tapao airports, he said.

A potential buyer had offered 760 million baht each for the grounded aircraft. The THAI board rejected the approach, given that each plane had cost 5-6 billion baht, Mr Yothin said. The 10 aircraft, purchased for about 55 billion baht, were grounded in 2013.

In 2003 the Thaksin Shinawatra government approved the purchase of three A340-500s and four A340-600s and in 2004 it endorsed another A340-500 and another A340-600. They were meant for use on nonstop flights from Bangkok to the United States.

Direct Bangkok-US services started in 2005, initially to New York and then shifted to Los Angeles. They were terminated after three years of operation as THAI posted a loss of about 7 billion baht, because the A340s consumed a lot of fuel, which was expensive then.

Former French president Jacques Chirac, right, greets former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the Elysee Palace in Paris in May 2003. Thaksin and several of his cabinet ministers were on a five-day visit to France. On this occasion Thai Airways International announced a purchase order for eight Airbus A340 aircraft costing one billion euros (about 50 billion baht). (French embassy photo)

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