Politics
Former prime minister Chuan Leekpai has called for urgent government action over Thai Airways’ decision to suspend cargo operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport, arguing that the move could have broader consequences for Thailand’s international image and logistics network.
Speaking during an emergency parliamentary debate on flood management and relief efforts, Chuan criticised the airline’s handling of the cargo disruption. He said the suspension, scheduled to remain in effect from October 1 to 6, risked creating significant problems for businesses and international trade.
Chuan argued that the disruption should not be viewed simply as an airport-related issue. In his remarks, he suggested that the national carrier itself had been overwhelmed by the circumstances surrounding the current crisis.
He also pointed out that, although Thai Airways is no longer entirely state-owned, the Ministry of Finance remains its largest shareholder. On that basis, he urged the government to engage directly with the airline’s management and seek a reassessment of the cargo suspension.
According to Chuan, reversing the measure would help limit potential damage to Thailand’s reputation and maintain confidence in the country’s logistics infrastructure.
Flood response also comes under scrutiny
Chuan also addressed the wider flooding situation, describing conditions he observed during visits to affected communities in Lat Krabang and Bang Kapi.
He said residents he met expressed concern over what they viewed as delays in receiving warnings and an insufficiently rapid response from authorities. According to Chuan, those delays contributed to the severity of the impact on local communities.
Although rainfall had eased, he warned that large amounts of standing water remained in several areas. As floodwater begins to deteriorate, he said, the risk of disease could increase.
Chuan called on government agencies to speed up drainage operations and begin restoring affected communities as quickly as possible. He stressed that removing stagnant water should remain an immediate priority to prevent further difficulties for residents already dealing with the effects of the floods.
