Thai Airways comes under fire for cabin crew’s selfies with opposition politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit

The pictures were taken in the past week as the billionaire politician was travelling on a Thai Airways flight with his family, according to local media

In a video message, the airline’s president called for ‘professionalism’ to avoid creating a backlash or accusations of having a ‘hidden agenda’

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Thai Airways cabin crew selfie with Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. Photo: Twitter / @yuhtlerd

Published: 3:15pm, 12 Jul 2019Updated: 6:07pm, 12 Jul 2019

Thailand’s national carrier Thai Airways is facing criticism after photographs taken by its flight attendants with Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the politician who challenged junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha for the premiership in this year’s elections, went viral online.

The pictures were taken on an aeroplane during the past week as Thanathorn was travelling with his family, local media reported. In one photo shared on social media, eight cabin crew can be seen posing with Thanathorn for a selfie, while another features the politician and a female flight attendant with the caption “can I iron your shirt?”

A Thai Airways flight attendant poses for a photo with Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. Photo: Facebook / Sasaki Anchalee

A number of angry comments were left in response to the pictures, with one user saying flight attendants should “act appropriately” when in the presence of someone who was the subject of controversy or “has a negative image”.

“You should be very careful … to safeguard the feelings of everyone,” the person wrote.

In a video message on Thursday, Thai Airways President Sumeth Damrongchaitham exhorted all employees to “work with honesty, professionalism and neutrality”.