The corridors of power are often abuzz with speculation, and the case of Mr. Kittiratt Na-Ranong is no exception. On a Wednesday not too long ago, the Council of State—the esteemed legal consultant to the government—stepped into the limelight, denying swirling rumors that it had deemed Mr. Kittiratt unqualified to take on the prestigious role of Bank of Thailand (BoT) board chairman. Pakorn Nilprapunt, the Council’s diligent secretary-general, made it clear that a decision about Mr. Kittiratt’s credentials had not yet been reached, promising that the topic would soon grace the Council’s agenda.
The issue at hand was handed over to the Council by the Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office, as they navigated a maze of legal technicalities concerning the prerequisites for a BoT board chairman. Mr. Kittiratt, who formerly donned the hat of commerce minister, was seen by many as a front-runner to step into the shoes of the incumbent, Porametee Vimolsiri. Yet, his candidacy faced scrutiny due to his recent stint as an adviser to ex-Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin—an association which critics argued might cast a shadow over the bank’s cherished independence.
Meanwhile, the always tactful Lawaron Sangsanit, the resilient permanent secretary for finance, firmly stated he never uttered a word hinting Mr. Kittiratt was deemed unsuitable for the role. Clarifying the ministry’s stance, he explained that they sought the Council’s wise counsel to untangle the legal intricacies, especially since Mr. Kittiratt’s advisory position to Mr. Srettha was not traditionally viewed as a “political” role. Lawaron’s goal was simple: to ensure their nomination adhered to every jot and tittle of established protocol.
In his measured words, Lawaron conveyed, “We’re treading cautiously concerning the qualifications, hence our recourse to the Council. They’ve yet to pen their response, leaving the Finance Ministry poised for further instructions.” A candid source within the Ministry speculated that should the Council categorize Mr. Kittiratt’s advisory role as political, it would disqualify him from chairmanship, compelling the ministry to seek a new contender.
Despite this bureaucratic ballet, the source assured stakeholders that any delay in naming the BoT board chairman wouldn’t disrupt the rhythm of the BoT’s operations. By law, the deputy chairman—who also happens to be the BoT governor—is equipped to step in and juggle the chairman’s responsibilities, sidestepping any operational stutter.
Unfazed by the media whirlwind, Mr. Kittiratt took to Facebook on a sunny Tuesday, pledging to abide by whatever resolution emerges and extending gratitude to those who placed their trust in his capabilities. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira expressed optimism that the much-anticipated communiqué from the Council would arrive within a mere one to two days, signaling the dawn of clarity in this captivating tale.
Honestly, Mr. Kittiratt should be disqualified for being too close to the political scene. Isn’t the independence of the Bank of Thailand crucial?
The independence argument is overused. His advisory role was not political, more managerial. Let’s focus on his competence!
But perception matters! Even if it’s not directly political, it can still affect decisions he might make as chairman.
Agreed, Sammy. Image and independence are everything for such an important role.
Could the council have personal motives? Sometimes politics is a dirty game.
Why isn’t anyone talking about Kittiratt’s achievements as commerce minister? That alone qualifies him to lead the BoT.
Past achievements don’t always translate to future success in different roles.
I disagree. Strong leadership and experience should be celebrated, not ignored.
This situation feels similar to when central banks worldwide had their roles politicized in the past. Predictable chaos!
I think we should wait for the legal resolution. Jumping to conclusions is just causing unnecessary drama.
True patience is a virtue, but these delays might be strategic. Who benefits?
Agreed with James. Legal systems have their procedures for such important matters.
I trust that Mr. Kittiratt will abide by the council’s decision. He seems committed to transparency.
Trust is a dangerous word in politics, Cassie.
The BoT’s functionality is resilient enough to handle this delay. No one is irreplaceable in such mega institutions.
I wish that were true. Institutional knowledge can be crucial in critical times.
The whole ordeal is more about the Finance Ministry covering its bases than about Kittiratt.
So true, Laura! Ministry knows the stakes are high.
I think Kittiratt’s Facebook post was a good move. Shows his willingness to comply.
Social media diplomacy at its best. Good for his public image.
This selection process needs to open a wider discussion on criteria for such critical roles in finance.
Isn’t it ironic that we even have these discussions? Why not appoint someone with zero ties to current politics?
The BoT will continue to operate smoothly even if there’s a leadership gap. The system is built that way.
Does nobody care how this affects the international perception of Thailand’s financial stability?
It might cause some ripples, but it’s more internal drama than anything.
Ripples today can turn into tsunamis tomorrow if mishandled.
As someone who follows Asian markets, stability and perceived independence are essential for investor trust.
The finance minister sounds optimistic. Guess the council’s advice should bring clarity soon.
So, Kittiratt used to be much admired, but now he’s caught in the crossfire. Typical politics, am I right?