Captain of the ill-fated Bangkok Airways is confirmed dead when his aircraft skidded of runway of Samui Airport and plunged into an old air control tower on Tuesday.
Bangkok Airways' President Capt Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said that the captain, Chartchai Pansuwan, was killed at the scene.
Chartchai was killed as the aircraft hit head-on the tower. The flight was landing at the Samui Airport when it slid of the runway reportedly because of the poor weather.
Puttipong said that Chartchai had been working with the company for 19 years and has piloted this kind of aircraft for 14 years.
Initial reports said the aircraft was carrying 68 passengers and four crew members when the accident happened.
Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai meanwhile said 10 passengers were seriously injured. Of them, six were sent to Bangkok-Samui Hospital, two to Bandon Inter and two to Thai Inter Hospitals each.
A number of 42 others passengers were slightly injured. Co-pilot and two others crew members were safe.