Aug. 16--Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt will meet the Thai Airways International (THAI) board next week to seek the reasons behind the airline's recent financial loss.
Commenting on the national flag carrier's net loss of 8.4 billion baht in the second quarter, Mr Chadchart said he will invite the board members to a meeting and ask them why the national airline has plunged into the red.
He wants to know whether the loss resulted from management problems.
The loss has raised doubts over Sorajak Kasemsuvan's future as president of the airline.
He took up the post only about 10 months ago.
The meeting of a panel assessing Mr Sorajak's performance over the past six months, chaired by finance permanent secretary and THAI board vice-chairman Areepong Bhoocha-oom, was postponed yesterday to next Friday, according to a THAI source.
Mr Sorajak said yesterday that THAI's sales and promotions strategies need revamping to boost the company's revenue before the end of the year.
"The next three years will be critical for THAI," Mr Sorajak said, citing the state enterprise's financial burden from its procurement of 17 new aircraft this year, 14 aircraft next year and eight more the following year.
"The [THAI financial] situation will recover in 2016 as the debt obligations ease," the president said.
THAI labour union president Jamsri Sukchoterat said the airline's problems stemmed from interference.
Board chairman Ampon Kitiampon has set up several panels to deal with the organisation's work, and this has prevented the airline executives, including the president, from making independent decisions, Ms Jamsri said.
According to a THAI board source, Mr Sorajak has tried to present plans to improve sales administration and strategies, but his proposals were rejected by the board.
Copyright 2013 - Bangkok Post, Thailand
