Thienchay and Chai-anan are frontrunners for NRC chairman

Thienchay has been nominated in the miscellaneous category while Chai-anan, a former PM’s adviser during the Prem administration, has been nominated in the political category.
A source said the person who becomes NRC chairman is expected to have strong ties with the junta or is someone who takes orders from them.
He or she must command respect and control NRC members. The person should not have political ties because it is hoped that neutrality would ensure the NRC could take the country towards reform and bring about national reconciliation.
“If Thienchay is given the chairman post, he would be like Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, the National Legislative Assembly president who is knowledgeable, but whose weakness is inexperience in controlling Parliament,” the source said. “We have to admit that NRC members are veterans in their fields. Chai-anan, on the other hand, has more experience in keeping Parliament in control.”
King Prajadhipok Institute secretary-general Borwornsak Uwanno, who was also nominated for the chairman’s post in the political category, is considered less chance than Thienchay and Chai-anan because he is more likely to be appointed chairman of the charter drafting committee.
Among the names in the tentative list of 250 NRC are former senators Prasarn Marukpitak, Paiboon Nititawan, Kamnoon Sidhisamarn and Rosana Tositrakul.
Poldej Pinprateep, the former deputy minister for social development and human security, Pramon Sutivong, chairman of Anti-Corruption of Thailand, and former chief Ombudsman Panit Nitithanprapas are likely to be in the administrative category. Former senator Chirmsak Pinthong and Sangsit Piriyarangsan, an anti-corruption academic of Rangsit University, are likely to be in the social reform category.
Tentative list for education includes Chulalongkorn academic Amornvit Nakhonthap and former senator Mechai Viravaidya. Former commerce minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet, and Pisit Leeahtam, a former deputy finance minister, are likely in the business category.
Former deputy defence minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha is likely to be in other affairs category.
Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday challenged anyone who wants to petition the Administrative Court against selection of the NRC to do so, insisting selections were not rigged.
“If they believe there are issues, if it is incorrect or unfair, then they can do what they think is necessary,” he said. “We can only follow procedures. If we cannot have the NRC now then we have to accept it.”