He began his career in the Thai advertising industry, working at Lintas Advertising before returning to the United States to earn a master's in mass communication, film and video from American University in Washington, D.C., after which he worked with the television network NBC for two years.
[1][2][3] In 2004, Patee was invited to become CEO of Nok Air, the new low-cost carrier being launched as a joint venture of Thai Airways International.
[4] Patee oversaw the development of Nok Air's distinctive branding and eventually became its public face, using his own colourful, outspoken personality to represent and promote the airline.
[3] The airline returned to profitability from 2009 to 2013,[6] but faced further crises including a collapse of its check-in system in 2015 and a pilot strike in 2016, which combined with increased competition from the launch of Thai Lion Air in 2013, saw Nok Air incurring heavy losses for several consecutive years, and Patee resigned from his position as CEO in September 2017.
[9] Patee is married to former actress Pitipat Sarasin (née Piyawan Jittanatum), with two children.