Committee to shortlist BOT governor candidates for finance minister by Tuesday night
Finance minister to receive shortlist of Bank of Thailand governor candidates by Tuesday night; six contenders to be interviewed by selection panel.
The selection committee is expected to shortlist candidates for the position of Bank of Thailand (BOT) governor and submit the names to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira by Tuesday night. Pichai has said he is simply looking for a candidate who can work effectively with the Finance Ministry.
Pornchai Thiraveja, Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office and head of the selection panel, said the committee would narrow the field down to two or three candidates out of six, for the minister’s final consideration.
He added that the panel would interview all six candidates on Tuesday evening, giving each 30 minutes to present their vision for managing the central bank. The interview process is scheduled to conclude by 7pm.
The six candidates are:
- Vitai Ratanakorn, President and CEO of Government Savings Bank
- Sutapa Amornvivat, Founding CEO of Abacus Digital Co Ltd
- Dr Somprawin Manprasert, Chief Economist and Chief Strategy Officer, Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), Siam Commercial Bank
- Kobsak Pootrakool, Director and Senior Executive Vice President, Bangkok Bank
- Dr Roong Mallikamas, Deputy Governor, Bank of Thailand
- Anusorn Thamajai, Dean, Faculty of Economics, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce
Speaking to reporters at Government House after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Pichai said the final decision would depend on the committee’s screening.
He expressed confidence in the qualifications of all six candidates, adding that he had no preferred individual or specific criteria in mind — only that the new BOT governor should be able to work in close coordination with the Finance Ministry.
