Former Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) president Charamporn Jotikasthira has been chosen as acting president of Thai Airways International Plc (THAI).
Mr Charamporn, who was among four candidates recently nominated for the post by a THAI selection committee, received the unanimous backing of the board yesterday.
Areepong Bhoocha-oom, permanent secretary for energy and acting THAI board chairman, said Mr Charamporn was a capable man with valuable experience in running big organisations, especially in areas related to information technology.
Mr Charamporn has a masters degree from Harvard University in business administration and received his bachelor's in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
"Mr Charamporn has a strong background in IT which will help establish the company's IT management system as THAI is focusing on investing in this sector, particularly a ticketing system," Mr Areepong said.
"All board members, executives and employees will have their part to play in the company's administration, not only Mr Charamporn," he said.
A remuneration committee would discuss salary and benefits with Mr Charamporn and seek State Enterprise Policy Office approval for his appointment.
The former SET president is expected to start work at THAI next month, during which time he will help determine the company's mid-term strategic objectives, Mr Areepong said.
Under Mr Charamporn's leadership, the SET grew threefold in terms of trading volume and became the top trading market in Asean, surpassing the Singapore Exchange over the last two years.
THAI's losses in the first half of this year were estimated at 10.3 billion baht.
Mr Areepong said THAI plans to spend a 15-billion-baht budget to help boost its competitiveness on the world stage and return the national carrier back into the black next year.