Thai Airways executive chairman Wallop Bhukkanasut has resigned after a probe into allegations that he abused his power to avoid paying for excess luggage on an international flight.

The carrier says that its board had accepted the decision, and that its chairman Ampon Kittiampon would reveal the reasons at a press conference later today.

According to various media reports, Bhukkanasut and his wife failed to pay for 260kg of excess luggage on a flight from Tokyo- to Bangkok. They also reportedly routed it through a special channel to avoid paying taxes and fees.

This resulted in a public outcry and led to the carrier's employee union calling on Bhukkansut to resign.

Thai has posted losses in recent times, but is embarking on a financial turnaround plan led by its new president Piyasvasti Amranand.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news