Surang's influential role at BBTV comes to an end

According to satellite TV news provider Springnews, Krit Ratanarak, the captain of the Ratanarak family, which owns a majority stake in BBTV Channel 7, today endorsed a major reshuffle. While he decided not to renew the annual employment contract with Surang, he appointed her deputy Saran Virutamawong as the new managing director. The decision comes into effect on January 1, 2012.

Surang took the reins after the elder Karnasuta brother, Chartchua, died. Chartchua had replaced his late mother, founder of the broadcaster.

 

Surang is technically retired but still works for the company on a special contract, which must be renewed on an annual basis. Her employment contract has been renewed for two years.

 

There have been reports over the past few years that Surang's days at BBTV were numbered. Since 2007, when the Ratanarak family withdrew its stake from Bank of Ayudhya and refocused on the entertainment business, Krit has introduced big changes in the BBTV management. In 2008, he appointed Surang as the managing director, taking away her control over the channel's programming.

Among the free TV channels, BBTV has been criticised as the slowest mover.

Surang was ranked the 14th richest Thai in 2011, according to Forbes Magazine, with a fortune of US$790 million. The previous year, her ranking was 15th.