Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said today that he has ordered another check of the qualifications of Kittiratt Na-Ranong, to ensure he satisfies the legal criteria to become chairman of the board of the Bank of Thailand.
He explained that the double-check is necessary because there are arguments that he may not be qualified, as he used to hold a senior advisory position under former prime minister Srettha Thavisin and served as the chair of a committee tasked with tackling the country’s informal debt problem.
The finance minister admitted that there is currently no alternative candidate if Kittiratt is disqualified, though there is enough time between now and mid-January to settle the issue.
The chairman selection committee, led by former finance permanent secretary Sathit Limpongpan, voted in favour of Kittiratt to succeed Paramethi Wimonsiri, whose term ended on September 11.
Meanwhile, Pichai said that the second phase of the “digital wallet” scheme, under which Thais over 60 will receive a 10,000 baht cash taxpayer funded benefit, is still going to happen.
Asked whether the government has the money to fund the scheme, he responded with a chuckle “We initiated the scheme, so there must be money!”
