A THAI lawyer, Mr. Chow Meekhuad, said in a Facebook post today (Nov. 12) that newly-chosen Bank of Thailand board chairman Kittiratt Na Ranong is unqualified for this key position having been an adviser to former prime minister Srettha Thavisin and while this not a political post, that it was stated that his duty was to follow the orders of the former prime minister means he was a “political office holder”, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon (Nov. 12).
He also recommended that a lawsuit be filed against the seven-member selection committee for having allegedly violated the law by selecting someone who has not left a political post for at least a year.
Chow wrote that according to Sections two and 16 (4) of Bank of Thailand Act, B.E. 2551 in nominating, considering and selecting the chairman and qualified members of the central bank board it is prohibited to chose those who have held a political position unless they have left the post for at least one year.
The intention is to ensure that those chosen are neutral with no conflict of interest nor involvement in politics.
While Kittiratt was just Srettha’s adviser, Chow mentioned according to the Prime Minister’s Office Order No. 214/2566 on the appointment of advisers to the Prime Minister, by exercising the power under Section 11 (6) of the State Administration Act B.E. 2535, their duty is to provide advice and consider and offer opinion or suggestions as assigned by the Prime Minister.
Even though Kittiratt did not legally hold a political office, the Prime Minister’s Office Order No. 214/2566 meant that it was equivalent to holding office as defined by law.
Moreover Kittiratt had only stepped down as adviser on Aug. 14, 2024 the day the Constitutional Court dismissed Srettha for appointing to his Cabinet a former lawyer who served jail time, with less than three months having passed.
“I confirm that in terms of law, even though the position of adviser to the Prime Minister is not a political office, the duty to follow the orders of the Prime Minister is definitely considered holding a political position. In this case, I propose that a lawsuit be filed in court to prosecute the selection committee for intentionally selecting someone who is not qualified to be the chairman of the board of the Bank of Thailand, ” he said.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Central bank board chairman Kittiratt Na Ranong, left, and lawyer Chow Meekhuad. Photo: Naewna
Front Page: Chow Meekhuad. Photo: MNG Online
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