No tyrants and PPP MPs allowed on board : THAI captain By The Nation

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 executives yesterday told a press conference they would summon Jakrit about the incident, while THAI Labour Union President Jamsri Sukchoterat said it was within a flight captain's power to deny certain passengers if their presence onboard caused him discomfort.
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Interesting article, but I do wish that "THE NATION "
would hire some native English speakers to proof read ..... this story seems to read that the union made a decision yesterday to talk to the pilot about his actions of this morning.....

the Nation has really been blowing it with there non proofed articles in the past few months.

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Yes the standard of reporting is very bad.
The Bangkok Post later published this which appears to say that the airline was backing the pilot's action.

"Following the incidents, THAI issued a statement claiming that its personnel did not let the PPP MPs to board their flights due to the passengers’ safety.
According to the statement, other passengers might not be satisfied with the PPP MPs during the flight and confrontations may occur.
bangkokpost.com"