Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra pledged Friday to recruit a "decisive" leader to head up Thai Airways International after he dismissed the carrier's president and purged its board of directors.
"The person who would be appointed as president of Thai Airways should be a strong leader with management skills, as well as being decisive," he said.
The entire Thai Airways board resigned Thursday after company president Bhisit Kuslayanon was demoted to the position of advisor at an emergency board meeting called by Thaksin.
The move came on the heels of a bomb threat campaign that has hit the national carrier as it prepares for a major share offering later this year, infuriating the Thai premier.
Thaksin rejected press speculation that he would appoint Thanong Bidaya, chair of Thailand's National Economic and Social Development Board and a close ally, but said the new president would be named next month.
"I will think about it after the end of September, but as of now there is no one," he said.
Thai Airways is scheduled to convene a sharholders meeting on October 5 at which a new 15-member of board of directors and president are expected to be named -- BANGKOK (AFP)
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