Biz Buzz

Energy Minister General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, a former comptroller of the Royal Thai Army, says he used to be known as “Mr Clarity” because he does not like murkiness. “I’m straightforward. If I’m angry, I’m angry. I will speak out,” he said at a press conference after meeting with senior energy officials last Friday. Anantaporn said he told ministry officials about his work style so they could adapt to it to deliver results. “Or otherwise |I can adjust myself and work can go on smoothly,” he said.

The minister asked |his officials to speed up their work and cut through red tape such as discussing some matters over the phone instead of calling a meeting every time.

Anantaporn also took the chance to “fine tune” reporters. After detailing his working style, he asked each journalist to introduce themselves one by one.

Reporters were jammed in the |ministry’s conference room, even though |it was Anantaporn’s second press |conference that day, because they had been informed that progress on implementation of energy policy would be detailed.

Not everything is straightforward.

coming to terms with media

Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding booked the ballroom at the Swissotel Nai Lert Park Bangkok to hold its CEO handover ceremony last week. More than 100 guests from financial institutions, construction companies, consulting firms, and the firm’s business partners joined the event to congratulate and present flower bouquets to the outgoing and incoming bosses of the power company. The ceremony was held after a press briefing in which Rum Herabat, the new CEO, took the stage with his predecessor, Pongdith Potchana. “Unlike Khun Pongdith, who used to be deputy governor for social affairs at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) and was quite familiar with many news reporters, I have largely worked with machines and people in grey-coloured uniforms [technical staff],” Rum said.

Despite his reservations, the new Ratch boss acquitted himself well with the media. Perhaps the strong showing was the result of Rum having a good coach like Thada Savetsila, a certified master trainer with Whiz Icon Co.

Contributed by Pichaya Changsorn