Two candidates advance for BoT governorship

Two final candidates have been shortlisted to become the next Bank of Thailand governor, with one an insider and the other an external applicant.

“The board has finalised two names as suitable people,” said Rangsan Srivorasart, chairman of the selection committee. “One is from the central bank and the other is an external candidate. I, as chairman, have already approved [the selection process], but details cannot be revealed.”

Four of the six candidates vying for the top post at the Bank of Thailand governor outlined their visions yesterday after the two other applicants were deemed unqualified for the job.

Of the applicants for central bank governor, four are external candidates and two are insiders.

The six candidates are central bank deputy governors Mathee Supapongse and Ronadol Numnonda; Tongjai Thanachanan, former head of institutional business at Ayudhya JF Asset Management (later renamed Krungsri Asset Management); Suchart Techaposai, former chief investment officer and head of fixed income at Ayudhya JF Asset Management; Setthaput Suthiwart-Narueput, a member of the Monetary Policy Committee and the prime minister’s advisory team; and Anusorn Tamajai,

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One is from the central bank and the other is an external candidate. RANGSAN SRIVORASART Chairman, selection committee

director of business reform at Rangsit University.

Four candidates — Mr Mathee, Mr Ronadol, Mr Setthaput and Mr Anusorn — outlined their vision of central bank supervision to the selection committee yesterday, said a committee source speaking on condition of anonymity.

Ms Tongjai and Mr Suchart did not meet the selection criteria, the source said.

The selection committee will send two names to Santi Promphat, the acting finance minister, and Mr Santi will forward the final candidate’s name to the cabinet for approval, the source said.

The selection committee previously extended the application deadline for central bank governor from June 16 to July 10, saying the four applicants at the time were too few. Mr Anusorn and Mr Setthaput applied during the extension period.

Incumbent governor Veerathai Santiprabhob has announced he will not apply for a second term after his five-year tenure is completed at the end of September.

Harvard-educated Mr Veerathai, 50, is the central bank’s 23rd governor.

According to tradition, the selection committee must name at least two shortlisted candidates and propose them to the Finance Minister, who will forward his or her pick for the next governor to the cabinet for approval.