Amid myriad problems at the four-month-old Suvarnabhumi airport, the president of Airports of Thailand (AOT) resigned Thursday, while the airport's general manager was shifted to an inactive post.

Plagued by alleged corruption and other problems during its construction, Suvarnabhumi airport, located in Bangkok's neighbouring province of Samut Prakan and billed by the previous government of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as the pride of the nation, has been found to have as many as 100 cracks on its runways, taxiways and tarmac.

President Chotisak Asapaviriya tendered his resignation at Thursday's meeting of the Airports of Thailand 14-member board, citing health reasons.

The board meeting approved the resignation effective Friday and appointed Kallaya Phakakrong, vice president in charge of planning and finance, as acting AOT head, according to board member Chirmsak Pinthong.

The board also transferred Somchai Sawasdeepon, Suvarnabhumi's general manager, to the post of specialist.

Serirat Prasutanond, executive vice president for regional airports, was appointed to replace Mr. Somchai, the board member said.

Gen. Saprang Kalayanamitr, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, in his capacity as Airports of Thailand board chairman, had hinted last week at reshuffling the firm's top management to boost its performance efficiency.

The general said yesterday that the board meeting also considered how to utilise the former Bangkok International Airport at Don Muang as a secondary airport along with Suvarnabhumi.

Details of the plan will be worked out soon.

Don Muang was decommissioned as Bangkok's international airport in September when the new airport was officially opened but calls for the 90-year-old facility to be reopened are gaining momentum as more troubles are reported at Suvarnabhumi.

The Transport Ministry recommended on Monday that the some domestic flights without ongoing connections to be shifted to Don Muang.

The recommendation is subject to Cabinet's approval at next week's meeting.

The transfer is expected to take at least 45 days to complete.