MCOT union wants new board to work closely with staff

Union president Orawan Klimviratkul said yesterday that there would be many changes in the state enterprise after Tanawat Wansom’s contract as president was terminated in October.

Last week the chairman of the board, Surapon Nitikraipot, and five directors – Teerapat Sanguankotchakorn, Yarnsak Manomaiphiboon, Wittayatorn Tokeaw, Sutat Kongtoranin and Matana Watanalit – resigned before competing their terms. To replace them, the board appointed Chakraphan Yomchinda, Prasert Kasemkomase, Kemchai Chutiwongse, Sutham Siritipsakorn, Premkamon Tinnakorn Na Ayutthaya and Sorajak as the new directors. Sorajak was also appointed on Tuesday as the new chairman, replacing Supapon.

Orawan said there were many challenges lying ahead next year for the new directors – for example, the selection of a new president. But the most important thing should be fairness and transparency in the organisation process.

"We are looking forward to working closely with the new directors, while the MCOT board should protect the company and put its benefit first."

Though MCOT cannot avoid political influence, particularly during a transition in government, Orawan suggested that it could be more than a communication channel for political matters. It should be able to generate profits, communicate with local people, and increase the world’s understanding of Thailand.

Additionally, though MCOT is expected to see its gross profit hit by between Bt200 million and Bt400 million this year because of the floods, Kematat Paladesh, vice president for marketing at the agency, said overall revenue should remain positive. This resulted from advertising spending bouncing back since the second week of this month.

In the first nine months, MCOT saw revenue rise by 13 per cent to Bt2.73 billion. The company enjoyed a 36-per-cent surge in third-quarter revenue to Bt1.77 billion.