Two Thai airlines suspended for 30 days over safety concerns
Source: 23-JUL-2008 Intellasia | Bernama
Jul 23, 2008 - 7:00:00 AM Thailand's Orient Thai Airline and its low-cost subsidiary One-Two-Go Airline are ordered on Monday, to cease operations for 30 days, starting from July 22, because of the poor safety standards. Chaisak Angkasuwan, director-General of the Civil Aviation Department of Thailand, said during a press conference on Monday, that the air operator certificates to the two airline companies have been suspended.

"Orient Thai and its One-Two-Go are the second aviator which faces service suspension, after Sky Aviation. The department will file criminal suits against their pilots, inspectors and the companies within two weeks," the Thailand news agency (TNA) quoted Chaisak as saying in a local news network.

In September 2008, a passenger plane of the One-Two-Go Airline crashed when the plane attempted to land at the Thai southern Phuket Airport in stormy weather. Ninety people were killed. Udom Tantiprasongchai, One-Two-Go founder, earlier has denied allegations that pilots worked excessive hours and that One-Two-Go aircraft were poorly maintained.

Last week, One-Two-Go announced it would cease operations " temporarily" to allow time for a financial restructuring.