Thai Airways CEO Says He Was Pushed Out Due to Bangkok Flood Chaos

by | Oct 5, 2026 | Travel

Thai Airways CEO Says He Was Pushed Out Due to Bangkok Flood Chaos

Thai Airways has undergone significant restructuring in recent years and developed expansion plans for fleet growth and international service development. The airline’s momentum faced a major setback when severe flooding impacted Bangkok’s primary international airport, creating operational challenges across multiple areas of the carrier’s business.

The flooding-related disruptions proved particularly severe at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where staff shortages directly affected baggage handling procedures and flight operations. Thousands of passenger bags were stranded at the facility as a result of the weather-driven crisis, generating widespread operational challenges and customer service issues.

Days after the flooding incident, the airline’s board of directors voted to remove CEO Chai Eamsiri from his position. Chai stated to reporters on Friday that he had been ordered to step down from his role. According to company statements, the board’s decision followed an extended period of operational disruption at the Bangkok hub. The airline submitted a stock exchange filing indicating that Chai had been suspended from his duties.

When asked about his departure, Chai indicated that leadership wanted to conduct an investigation into the crisis response. The board subsequently appointed Samrit Samniang, a Thai Airways director with prior executive experience at Thai oil and gas company PTT Exploration and Production, to serve as acting chief executive officer during the transition period.

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