AOT's Therdsak faces suspension

BANGKOK - The Airports of Thailand (AOT) board looks likely to suspend its managing director Therdsak Sajjarak today for alleged irregularities surrounding the runway improvement project for Chiang Mai and Phuket airports.

The move follows an investigation led by AOT’s director Wuthipan Wichairat, which uncovered evidence of price collusion in the bidding contest for the improvement contract.

Therdsak, who would face a disciplinary investigation if suspended, denied any direct involvement in the project, saying that the bidding process had been prepared before he took office.

He claimed his only involvement was to present the project before the AOT board for endorsment.

The project's cost, he said, meant he was not able to authorise the project without the board's consent.

Therdak’s suspension would likely delay runway improvements, part of the government's plan to turn the airports into regional aviation hubs.