Thai AirAsia Appoints “Phairat Pornpathananangoon” as New General Manager, Effective 31 January 2026

BANGKOK, 23 January 2026 – Thai AirAsia Co., Ltd. (TAA) has approved the appointment of top management positions, naming Mr. Phairat Pornpathananangoon, the current Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as the new General Manager (GM), effective from 31 January 2026 onwards. He succeeds Mr. Santisuk Klongchaiya, who is retiring from the position. Mr. Santisuk will continue to serve the company in the role of Advisor.

Concurrently, the Board has appointed Mr.Thanit Thanathanmanont as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). 

Mr. Phairat Pornpathananangoon has been an integral part of the AirAsia family for over 21 years. He began his journey as Financial Planning Manager for Thai AirAsia in 2004, before being promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Thai AirAsia X in 2014. He subsequently returned to Thai AirAsia as CFO in 2021. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Phairat has played a pivotal role in the airline’s growth and resilience, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. He was instrumental in formulating survival strategies, managing liquidity, and implementing effective cost-reduction measures, successfully guiding the organization back to its position as the country’s leading low-cost carrier.

A proven executive with recognized expertise in the capital market, Mr. Phairat’s leadership has been widely acclaimed. He was awarded the prestigious “Best CFO” in the Transportation sector at the  Investment Analysts Association (IAA)  Awards for two consecutive years (2024-2025), , underscoring his outstanding capability in financial management.

Mr. Phairat Pornpathananangoon, the newly appointed General Manager (GM) of Thai AirAsia Co., Ltd. (TAA), said: “Having been with the AirAsia family for 21 years since its inception and part of the team that led AAV’s successful IPO, I have developed a deep-rooted understanding of the aviation industry’s strategic and financial complexities. I have applied the invaluable insights gained from our visionary leaders to navigate the company through both crises and periods of rapid expansion. As I take on the role of GM, I am fully committed to steering the airline toward a future of stable, sustainable, and resilient growth.”

“Thai AirAsia is built on a strong foundation and never stops evolving. We are ready to move forward with agile strategies adaptable to every situation, integrating innovation and technology to maintain our leadership in growth, value, and service quality for our passengers, while delivering solid financial performance.”

Educational Background & Professional Experience Mr. Phairat holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from San Diego State University, California, U.S.A, and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (English Program) from Thammasat University. He has completed the Director Certification Program (DCP Class 254/2018) from the Thai Institute of Directors (IOD), the Strategic CFO in Capital Markets Program (Class 7/2018), and the Capital Market Academy’s Leadership Program (CMA Class 35)

A Strategic Leader with Regional Expertise 

Mr. Thanit Thanathanmanont, the newly appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has been a key member of the AirAsia group since 2011. From Manager of Commercial Strategy & Development at Thai AirAsia, his leadership journey continued to expand regionally. In 2023, he served as Head of Group Financial Planning at AirAsia SEA Co., Ltd., and subsequently rose to the position of interim Chief Financial Officer at AirAsia Philippines in 2024.