Sita Divari, an adviser to the interior minister, has been tipped to take over as the new chairman of the Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT).
A highly placed source in the Transport Ministry yesterday said that AoT chairman Sumet Photimanee will tender his resignation after the shareholders' meeting on Jan 25 to pave the way for Sqd Ldr Sita to take the helm.
Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, has also agreed to the nomination of Sqd Ldr Sita as AoT chairman, the source said.
Sqd Ldr Sita is a close aide of veteran politician Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, who is the leader of a group of Pheu Thai MPs for Bangkok.
ACM Sumet is expected to replace Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree as the new chairman of the Expressway Authority of Thailand, the source added.
According to the source, the AoT has also begun the process of selecting the organisation's new president.
A panel had been formed to formulate the qualifications of the new president, the source said, adding that the application process will start after the new chairman assumes the post.
Former AoT president Chotisak Asapaviriya has been tipped to join the race to be president, the source said.
However, Somchai Sawasdeepon, senior executive vice president and the acting president of the AoT, will possibly opt out of contention.
Mr Chotisak denied he has been approached for the president's position, but asserted that he is ready to work in any role.