By a marginal approval rate, he won a board of directors' vote to retain his position.

Changes at such state-owned companies as MCOT and Thai Airways International only added more pressure on Chotisak.

In office for six months, his main job has been to oversee the operation of Suvarnabhumi Airport. And given that complaints have greatly outnumbered praise, there is no way Chotisak could have been sitting comfortably in his post.

Yesterday, he told reporters in a furious tone of voice that he was the target of people who were not pleased with his performance.

"While I was in a rush to open the airport, I was hyperactive in my job. That might have displeased some people who were not quite as active. And they have tried to sabotage me all along."

He also defended himself by saying he had had to work so hard to solve the myriad problems at the airport, including the limousine service and lack of toilets.

Of course, the toilet insufficiency has been a big problem from the start. But Chotisak announced yesterday that 20 more would be added on the first floor and open for service next week. Then he'll install more on the second and fourth floors.

And this success came only after Chotisak took charge of the construction work. He said workers had to toil day and night to build the 20 toilets on the first floor. Surely this will please travellers, and they might not want the new AOT board to dismiss Chotisak.

It would not be easy to find a man who devotes himself so heroically to relieving the public's agony.

achara_d@nationgroup.com