Pichai Chunhavajira Responds to Concerns Over Political Influence in Bank of Thailand Board Selection.

Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has addressed concerns raised by former governors of the Bank of Thailand (BOT) regarding potential political influence in the selection of the board chairman. When questioned by reporters, Pichai stated that he believed the situation was under control. According to Thai News Agency, 227 academics from the Social Economics Group, including four former BOT governors, have issued a statement expressing their concerns over political interference in the country's monetary policy. This concern arises ahead of a key meeting scheduled for November 4th, where a new chairman and two qualified members of the BOT board will be selected. It has been reported that the government has nominated a candidate with close political ties for the position of BOT chairman. In response to questions about whether the issue could impact the cooperation between the Finance Ministry and the BOT, Pichai reiterated his stance by saying, "It's okay." When pressed fur ther on whether he shared the reporters' concerns, Pichai turned the question back on the reporters, asking, "Are you concerned?" After receiving an affirmative response, Pichai acknowledged their concern with a simple, "I am concerned, thank you," before leaving the scene.