BANGKOK - THE union at flag carrier Thai Airways International forced the airline's chairman to restore management duties to its president hours after he was stripped of them, an airline spokeswoman said on Friday.

The dramatic turnaround came after president Apinan Sumanaseni was effectively sacked by the board when it removed his authority, allowing him to keep his title in name only.

'The pilots and union members heard the news from the board chairman after the meeting. They disagreed with that decision and talked with the chairman,' the spokeswoman said, speaking on condition of anonymity because a formal statement had not been released.

After meeting the Thai Airways International Union, the board chairman announced Apinan's powers would be restored. The reasons for the dramatic split within the company's management remained unclear. A new board meeting was set for 0800 GMT (4pm Singapore time) on Friday to discuss the turnaround. The airline posted a 47.6 per cent drop in net profit in the first quarter, due to high fuel costs and a strong local currency. Earlier this month, the airline cancelled its heavily promoted direct flight to New York and reduced services to Los Angeles, saying it would sell four of its long-haul aircraft. -- AFP