THAI flunks 4 for top job

Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) is struggling to find a new president after four candidates for the post were found to lack the necessary skills, permanent secretary for finance Somchai Sujjapongse said yesterday.

Though all four are capable executives with significant work experience, they do not meet THAI’s current needs, he said.

Apart from being able to successfully run an aviation business and manage people, the new president must be adept at marketing, cutting costs and initiating reform, he added.

Mr Somchai’s remarks reflect the national carrier’s recent problems.

For several years it has suffered losses in excess of 10 billion baht per annum. On top of this, its air operator certificates (AOCs) were subject to re-inspection after the International Civil Aviation Organisation red-flagged Thailand in 2015 for failing to meet safety standards.

THAI has been searching for a new president since Charamporn Jotikasthira, a former president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, stepped down on Feb 9.

Nine applicants have thrown their hat in the ring but only four were shortlisted for the job.

They are: Danuj Bunnag, an adviser to the THAI president; Visit Tantisunthon, former secretary-general of the Commission on the Government Pension Fund; Thirawit Charuwat, former president of TOT Plc Co; and Yongsit Rojsrikul, exgovernor of the Mass Rapid Authority of Thailand.