Sacked Thai Airways CEO denies allegations over wine procurement - Bangkok Post

Chai Eamsiri (Bangkok Post file photo) Sacked Thai Airways International CEO Chai Eamsiri has strongly denied allegations of involvement in corruption and interfering in the airline’s wine procurement process.

In a post on his personal Facebook account, Mr Chai said he normally refrained from writing on social media but felt compelled to respond to allegations circulating online about the purchase of wine.

He said some media reports accused him of intervening in the procurement process, taking control of it himself, and linking the matter to alleged corruption.

Mr Chai insisted the wine procurement process had strictly followed the airline’s established rules and procedures, and could be audited at any time.

“Regarding my work, particularly the procurement of wine, the procedures and processes were carried out strictly in accordance with the regulations and can be examined at any time,” he said.

Mr Chai also said if any wrongdoing had actually occurred, it would be the responsibility of the airline's internal audit department and audit committee to investigate it.

He said that during his 41 years of professional service, he had never been involved in any corruption-related wrongdoing.

He said that when asked if his clean record in the past necessarily meant he had not later committed any wrongdoing, his response was that such matters should be determined through an impartial audit and investigation process, rather than speculation in the media.

“I can accept criticism on other matters, but I genuinely cannot accept allegations that I was involved in corruption,” Mr Chai said.

He also described himself as the "poorest"  of the airline’s senior executives in terms of financial standing, and said he was willing to allow any relevant agency in Thailand to investigate him.

Mr Chai was sacked by the THAI board on Friday over the chaotic mishandling of luggage at Suvarnabhumi airport during the flood.