Thamnoon Wanglee is fighting for survival as president of Thai Airways International amid investigations into allegations that he authorised the sale of a damaged Airbus A300B4 to Switzerland-based Sebina Trading for US$1.8 million, when it was said to be worth close to $12 million.
Investigators are trying to establish how much Thamnoon knew about the sale of the Airbus, which was damaged in a late 1994 ground accident at Bangkok airport. Repairs cost $1 million. Thai's president has also been criticised over a $290 million, nine-year leasing deal with Japan Fleet Service.
Two investigating committees, one internal and one led by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, were due to report by the end of November. If Thamnoon comes under direct investigation, he will have to be suspended pending completion of the probe, and probably will never get his post back regardless of the outcome.
Thamnoon has vigorously denied any wrong doing, blaming unnamed 'opponents' for trying to unseat him from his two-year presidency and vowing to fight back. After suspending the vice-president of the technical department, Pongsavit Punyindu, he also asked police to investigate a flurry of anonymous leaflets attacking him.
The controversy overshadowed an early November visit to Bangkok by Jürgen Weber, chairman of Thai's alliance partner Lufthansa. When asked to comment after signing the first codesharing agreements, Weber said: 'Certainly, management uncertainties in Thai do concern us. But I believe Thai is a very good airline and we have full confidence in that.'
Imtiaz Muqbil
Source: Airline Business
