Bangkok, Thailand: Thai Airways International has removed CEO Chai Eamsiri from his position with immediate effect after severe flooding in Bangkok triggered major flight delays, baggage backlogs and cargo disruptions at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The airline’s board appointed Samrit Samniang as acting CEO while a fact-finding investigation examines the crisis response.
Chai said the board did not give him a specific reason for his removal, although he believed the investigation would examine management gaps and how the airline handled the disruption. “They didn’t give a reason,” he said. Chai will remain a Thai Airways director while the investigation continues; his employment contract was due to run until January 31, 2027.
The disruption followed about 320 mm of rain in Bangkok over three days, while flooding affected 42 provinces across Thailand. Around half of Thai Airways’ ground staff were reportedly unable to reach work, severely affecting baggage and ground operations. On September 29, the airline said about 5,600 bags were stranded, while later reports said the accumulated backlog exceeded 10,000 bags.
Thai Airways also reported that almost 100% of flights were delayed during the peak of the disruption, with fewer than 3% operating on time. The carrier planned to cut around 30% of Bangkok departures and suspended cargo operations. It later cancelled 15 flights on October 1 and nine on October 2, before planning to restore its full schedule on October 3.
The Royal Thai Air Force, Thailand Post and other personnel were brought in to help clear and deliver baggage. Thai Airways also expanded its call centre from two lines to 24 and moved additional staff into its operations centre.
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul criticised the airline’s response and said, “If they don’t want to do the job, then resign.” The government also questioned how Thai Airways allocated ground-handling resources during the crisis.
The board is examining the operational breakdown, including ground handling, cargo operations, outsourcing and subcontracting arrangements. A separate investigation is examining the reported purchase of around 860,000 bottles of wine worth more than 800 million baht (about US$24 million) from a single supplier. The procurement review remains an investigation and does not establish wrongdoing.
Samrit, who joined the Thai Airways board in June 2025, previously served as executive vice president for finance and accounting at PTT Exploration and Production from 2019 to 2024. He now faces the immediate task of stabilising operations and resolving the remaining passenger and baggage disruption.
The leadership change comes shortly after Thai Airways completed its financial restructuring. The airline exited its debt-restructuring programme and resumed stock-market trading in August 2026.
