Ekniti Nitithanprapas resigned as chairman of Thai Airways International Pcl after 16 months in the job, as Thailand's national airline struggles to stem losses.

Chaiyapruk Didyasarin, the carrier's vice chairman, has taken over the role, the airline said in a stock exchange filing late Friday.

The carrier this year put a plan to add 38 aircraft under review and has been forced to dispel media reports of liquidity problems. Second-quarter losses more than doubled as the global economic slowdown, fierce competition and a strong baht took their toll.