THAI demote captain who refused PPP MP to board

Captain Chakree Jongsiri is demoted although a panel set up to look into the incident has not yet finished the investigation.

"THAI executive board decide to suspend Captain Chakree from duty and to demote him from captain to assistant captain," Apinan said.

Chakree denied permission of PPP MP of Surin Farida Sulaiman to board a TG flight from Don Muang airport to Khon Kaen last week.

The incident happened a few days after police dispersed anti-government protesters near the Parliament which resulted in death and injuries.

Eye-witnesses 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.

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.