February 8, 2008
BANGKOK - Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk resigned Thursday as the chairman of Thai Airways board, a company spokeswoman said.
ACM Chalit announced his resignation after a meeting of the airline's board of directors, paving way for the new government to appoint board members of its own choosing.
"He said that in keeping with tradition and to allow the new government a free hand, he had resigned from the position of chairman of the board of director," she said.
Chalit was named chairman of the board on November 15, two months after the coup in 2006.
General Saprang Kalayanamitra, also claimed lucrative posts on the boards of state telecom TOT and Airports of Thailand, which runs the Bangkok international airport, according to AFP.
The generals' move into the boardroom sparked criticism of the coupmakers.
Saprang, one of the most outspoken generals on the junta, has not yet indicated whether he will keep his boardroom posts.
