The government’s legal advisors refute information that they had declared him unfit for a position in the central banks.
PUBLISHED: 26 Dec 2024 at 05: 34
The Council of State, the government’s legal adviser, on Wednesday denied media reports it had ruled Kittiratt Na-Ranong ineligible to assume the post of Bank of Thailand ( BoT ) board chairman.
Pakorn Nilprapunt, secretary-general of the Council, said it had but to make a choice on Mr Kittiratt’s skills, and the matter was expected to be raised for conversation after on Wednesday.
He acknowledged that the Fiscal Policy Office of the Finance Ministry had inquired about legal matters relating to a BoT committee chairman’s skills.
Mr Kittiratt, a former commerce secretary, was widely regarded as a leading candidate for the place to achieve Porametee Vimolsiri.
However, his election was being questioned according to his new role as an assistant to former prime minister Srettha Thavisin, which critics said may jeopardise the company’s freedom.
However, Lawaron Sangsanit, permanent director for funding, said he never gave a press interview saying Mr Kittiratt was determined to be unsuitable to carry the article.
Because Mr. Kittiratt previously served as Mr. Srettha’s adviser, he claimed the government had sought legal explanation and the Council’s opinion, and that it was understood that the position did not fall under the purview of the prime minister.
Mr. Lawaron claimed that the agency’s decision was to make sure the process for its member nomination was followed.
” We’re not certain about the requirements, so we decided to approach the Council, which will send a response to the Finance Ministry. We haven’t got the reply but”, he said.
According to a resource at the Finance Ministry, Mr. Kittiratt will not be eligible to serve as the chairman of the BoT board, and the ministry will need to select a new candidate if the Council decides the expert position is political.
But, the source said the delay in appointing the BoT committee chairman would not destroy labor at the BoT because the law says the deputy president, who is the BoT government, can do the president’s jobs in the meantime.
No matter what the outcome will be, Mr. Kittiratt wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, thanking those who had faith and confidence in his ability, following press reports that he was ineligible for the post.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira stated that he anticipated to get an official comment letter from the Council within the next 1-2 times.