Thai Airways finds new CEO after almost two-year search

THAI on Monday said it has found a new president and CE, almost two years after the retirement of the national carrier’s former head. The board has recommended the recruitment of Sumeth Damrongchaitham, 53, after details such as salary are agreed, the airline said. Sumeth is listed on the website of the Ministry of Finance as president of state-owned property manager Dhanarak Asset Development Co Ltd. He was also COO of music and entertainment group GMM Grammy PCL. If appointed, he will take control of an airline struggling for growth in an environment of high fuel costs and competition from low-cost carriers. The selection is the culmination of a search that began in September 2016 after Charamporn Jothikastira retired at 60, the compulsory retirement age for employees of state-owned firms. Aviation Business Unit VP Usanee Sangsingkea has been acting CEO while the airline struggled to find a qualified replacement.<br/>