Thai Airways CEO steps down, replaced by CHRO

Thailand's national airline, Thai Airways International, announced on 16 June that Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Chansin Treenuchagron has resigned, one day after the central bankruptcy court approved a debt rehabilitation plan that would allow the flag carrier to avoid liquidation and continue its operations. Chansin had been appointed one of the administrators of the debt rehabilitation plan, but the airline has not disclosed whether his resignation is linked to that duty.

Chief of Human Resources Suvadhana Sibunruang has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer in his stead, with effect 16 June 2021 to 30 September 2021. As of now, the airline has not revealed any succession plan beyond that timeline.

At the same time as the acting President and CEO's resignation, the airline also announced the resignation of Chairman of the Board Air Chief Marshal Chaiyapruk Didyasarin and two other directors.

Thai Airways has been under bankruptcy protection since May 2020, with years of operating losses compounded by the coronavirus pandemic and the cessation of air travel. The airline has laid off thousands of staff in the last year and a half, and currently has an estimated head count of approximately 9,300—down from over 22,000 at the end of 2019.