Thai Airways International has reinstated captain Chakri Chongsiri who was earlier suspended for his alleged refusal to let three MPs of the People Power Party board the flight.

THAI President Apinan Sumanaseni said yesterday that the pilot had been cleared of the allegation after an investigating team found that he did not breach the protocol. Chakri has resumed his work as pilot since early November.

Apinan said Chakri had vowed in writing not to repeat the incident.

On October 8, the three MP members filed complaints after they were not allowed to board their flight to Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. Eyewitnesses said the captain came out of the cockpit and announced that his flight would not allow "tyrants, PPP MPs or politicians who harm people" to board. Chakri was consequently subjected to investigation.

Capt Kathathong Suwannathat, deputy chief of Boeing 737-400 pilots, said Chakri was issued a written warning and told to control his emotion. Chakri was also placed under surveillance to see if he would follow instructions.

Kathathong said five pilot trainers resigned as trainers after Chakri was reprimanded, saying the order was unfair. Chakri was also reinstated as a trainer in mid-October.

Yesterday, over 100 people consisting of anti-government protesters and retired THAI employees gathered at the entrance of Building 5 in THAI's office premises.

They were present to chase House Committee on Transport's members who visited the THAI office to get updated information on the company's measures to get through the economic crisis.