Former Thai Central Bankers Pitch for Apolitical Board Chair
- Political nominees may cause irreparable damage, group says
- Panel set to pick new central bank board chief next week
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A group of former Thai central bank chiefs is calling for the appointment of a non-political person to chair the bank amid reports that the government is pushing the candidature of a former finance minister to tighten its grip over the monetary authority.
If nominees with close political ties are picked to become Bank of Thailand’s board and as members, they could use their authority to serve the short-term interests of the parties they are affiliated with, according to Economists for Society which includes ex-governors Veerathai Santiprabhob, Prasarn Trairatvorakul, Tarisa Watanagase, Pridiyathorn Devakula and about 200 economists and academics.