Failed bidders for top MRTA post question Yongsit's credentials
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Unsuccessful hopefuls for the top job at the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand will this week write to the Transport Ministry to question the qualifications of newly appointed MRTA governor Yongsit Pojsrivichaikul, a source close to some of these f
The MRTA board recently approved the selection committee’s choice of Yongsit, who was executive vice president of marketing and sales for China at Thaicom, as governor of the agency responsible for Bangkok’s subway system.
Yongsit yesterday said he was ready to defend his qualifications.
Thaicom is a flagship of InTouch, formerly known as Shin Corp, founded by the Shinawatra family of the current prime minister and her older brother Thaksin.
The source said that to qualify for the post of governor, applicants must be from private companies, they must not rank lower than second-highest in their organisations, and they must have experience managing big projects. But some of Yongsit’s rivals for the job pointed out that according to Thaicom’s annual report, he was not involved in management and was not the firm’s second-highest-ranking executive.
Yongsit countered that he was second-tier management and answered directly to Thaicom’s chief executive officer. He also had documents from Thaicom to confirm this.
The source said some of the failed contenders might bring a legal challenge to the MRTA board and the selection panel if it is found that they failed to follow the qualification criteria.
Since former governor Chookiat Phothayanuwat died, the MRTA’s top job has been vacant for nearly two years. The quest to appoint a replacement has led to an executive reshuffle and lawsuits. In the latest round, of seven applicants, six are from the private sector.
