THAI employees ask government to probe on plane purchase

BANGKOK, Feb 12 (TNA) -- More than 200 employees of Thai Airways International (THAI) on Sunday demanded the government to investigate on their firm decision on buying new aircraft. They made their demands while gathering at THAI operational centre at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The employees charged that the decision by THAI board in purchasing new aircraft had resulted in the grounding of many THAI planes at Don Mueang and U-Tapao airports, awaiting buying from potential purchasers. During the implementation of rehabilitation plan for THAI between 2011 – 2013, the employees said the board amended the plan which had caused a total of 50 THAI aircraft grounded after they had been in operation between 6 – 17 years although on average they could be used for as long as 20 years. The then cabinet gave approval for THAI to buy a total of 75 planes in which the first lot of 37 planes with the total costs of about 200 billion baht would be delivered to the company. These 37 planes are gradually delivered to the company between 2011 – 2018. Urging concerned parties to jointly investigate whether the change of aircraft in 2012 meet the required international standards, the employees asked Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha to exercise his sweeping power under Article 44 of the interim constitution to appoint a special committee to investigate on the purchase. They also requested Office of the Auditor General of Thailand to probe on THAI accounts which specified that new planes needed for replacement. And finally, the employees demanded two persons sitting on the present board and executive member to resign to display responsibility for the continued loss as well as creating a long-term debts for THAI. (TNA)