Thai Airways weighs 7 CEO bids after October 2 suspension

Seven current and former Thai Airways International executives remain in the airline’s chief executive recruitment process following the initial exclusion of its only external applicant. The search has gained urgency after the board suspended chief executive Chai Eamsiri from his duties on Friday (October 2, 2026), amid a service crisis and allegations concerning crisis management and wine procurement.

Thai Airways began recruiting for the chief executive position, known internally as DD, in September because Chai’s employment contract is due to expire on January 31, 2027. Applications closed on September 27, before the board ordered his suspension from chief executive duties.

Seven Thai Airways executives remain in the application pool

Thai Airways received eight applications: seven from current or former airline executives and one from an external candidate. Qualification checks are continuing, with preliminary screening finding that the sole external applicant did not meet the requirements.

Bangkok Biznews identified the seven remaining applicants as:

- Chai Eamsiri, Thai Airways chief executive, currently suspended from performing his duties
- Cherdphan Chotikhun, Thai Airways technical chief
- Varangkana Luerojvong, chief of Thai Airways’ aviation business unit
- Chawan Rattanawaraha, Thai Airways operations chief
- Korakot Chatasingha, a former Thai Airways commercial chief
- Nond Kalinta, a former Thai Airways commercial chief
- Wiwat Piyawiroj, a former Thai Airways commercial chief

The leadership search comes as Thai Airways faces the task of restoring both passenger confidence in its services and trust in management following the operational disruption.

Thai Airways inquiry covers crisis management and wine allegations

Thai Airways’ internal management problems during flooding left 15,000 passenger bags awaiting handling, Bangkok Biznews reported. The disruption also spread to import and export cargo, with substantial quantities stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s cargo terminal because workers were unavailable to handle the freight.

The Thai Airways board ordered Chai to stop performing his chief executive duties with immediate effect and established a fact-finding committee.

The two allegations under examination are:

1. Failure to manage the crisis.

Chai was accused of failing to manage the disruption, causing substantial losses and damage to Thai Airways’ reputation. Passengers and baggage were stranded at Suvarnabhumi and overseas airports, while services on several routes had to be suspended.

2. Suspected irregularities in wine procurement.

The Finance Ministry had identified suspected corruption involving the purchase of 860,000 bottles of wine for onboard service at more than 1,000 baht per bottle. The earlier allegation also concerned interference in the purchasing department’s work.

Separate Thai Airways search includes approach to Bangchak chief

Thai Airways is also considering potential leaders through a separate recruitment route that allows executives from other organisations to be approached. The remaining application pool therefore does not represent the full field of possible candidates.

The airline source described two selection channels:

1. An application-based recruitment committee, which recommends candidates who have applied and meet the required qualifications.

2. A targeted recruitment committee, which identifies and proposes other suitably qualified candidates for the position.

Both Thai Airways committees are to examine their candidates’ qualifications before the names are brought together and submitted to the airline’s board for consideration.

The targeted committee has reportedly approached executives at several organisations with relevant management experience. Bangkok Biznews named Chaiwat Kovavisarach, Bangchak Corporation’s group chief executive officer and president, among those approached.

Chaiwat’s employment contract at Bangchak is due to expire on January 31, 2027.