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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/10/08/headlines/headlines_30085464.php
THAI suspends pilot who denied boarding of PPP MP
By The Nation
Thai Airways International will suspend pilot who refused to allow an MP of People Power Party to board his flight on Wednesday.
Rahas Ployyai, deputy THAI vice president, said his office will summon the pilot, Jakrit Pongsirim who is now in Udon Thani back to Bangkok to be investigated into the incident.
"Pending investigation, that captain will be suspended. We will also invite all staffs involving in the incident to give information. The investigation will be about one week," he said.
Rahas apologised and regretted that the incident happened. "We will organise a meeting of pilots to make sure that such incident will not happen again."
Three MP members of the People Power Party were denied permission on Wednesday to board domestic Thai International Airways flights following the fatal clashes street between anti-government protesters and police.
Surin MP Farida Sulaiman, who reportedly wore a jacket with a PPP logo and name on the back, was about to board the TG 1040 flight scheduled to leave Don Muang Airport for Khon Kaen at 6.15am.
But eyewitnesses said the captain came out of the cockpit and announced his flight would not allow "tyrants, PPP MPs or politicians who harm people" to board.
Farida told reporters when she approached the aircraft a man in captain's uniform asked her if she was a PPP MP. When she said yes, the man said she was not allowed to board the flight. Farida replied, "Thank you for your service", to which the captain smiled and returned to the cockpit.
She identified the captain as Jakrit Pongsiri and said she would put the complaint to THAI executives because international aviation regulations allowed a flight captain to deny only passengers who appeared drunk or carried a weapon.
Two others MPs who had to change their flights were Chaiya Promma of Nong Bua Lumphu and Chompu Chantatong of Nong Khai. Both were to board TG 1002 from Don Muang Airport to Udon Thani at 9.20am, but the captain of the flight, believed to be Jakrit, would not allow them to board.
Chaiya said Thai Air, its union and aviation authorities should take action against the captain for mixing his political views and agenda with his duties, damaging the service sector's good image. He said he would table this case with the Parliament's Committee on Transport next week to explain why they were prevented from boarding the flights. Chaiya said he might not have to file a formal complaint because other THAI ground officials disagreeing with Jakrit's action apologised and took care of them.
THAI suspends pilot who denied boarding of PPP MP
By The Nation
Thai Airways International will suspend pilot who refused to allow an MP of People Power Party to board his flight on Wednesday.
Rahas Ployyai, deputy THAI vice president, said his office will summon the pilot, Jakrit Pongsirim who is now in Udon Thani back to Bangkok to be investigated into the incident.
"Pending investigation, that captain will be suspended. We will also invite all staffs involving in the incident to give information. The investigation will be about one week," he said.
Rahas apologised and regretted that the incident happened. "We will organise a meeting of pilots to make sure that such incident will not happen again."
Three MP members of the People Power Party were denied permission on Wednesday to board domestic Thai International Airways flights following the fatal clashes street between anti-government protesters and police.
Surin MP Farida Sulaiman, who reportedly wore a jacket with a PPP logo and name on the back, was about to board the TG 1040 flight scheduled to leave Don Muang Airport for Khon Kaen at 6.15am.
But eyewitnesses said the captain came out of the cockpit and announced his flight would not allow "tyrants, PPP MPs or politicians who harm people" to board.
Farida told reporters when she approached the aircraft a man in captain's uniform asked her if she was a PPP MP. When she said yes, the man said she was not allowed to board the flight. Farida replied, "Thank you for your service", to which the captain smiled and returned to the cockpit.
She identified the captain as Jakrit Pongsiri and said she would put the complaint to THAI executives because international aviation regulations allowed a flight captain to deny only passengers who appeared drunk or carried a weapon.
Two others MPs who had to change their flights were Chaiya Promma of Nong Bua Lumphu and Chompu Chantatong of Nong Khai. Both were to board TG 1002 from Don Muang Airport to Udon Thani at 9.20am, but the captain of the flight, believed to be Jakrit, would not allow them to board.
Chaiya said Thai Air, its union and aviation authorities should take action against the captain for mixing his political views and agenda with his duties, damaging the service sector's good image. He said he would table this case with the Parliament's Committee on Transport next week to explain why they were prevented from boarding the flights. Chaiya said he might not have to file a formal complaint because other THAI ground officials disagreeing with Jakrit's action apologised and took care of them.