Somkiat Tangkitvanich, vice-president of the Thailand Development and Research Institute has been appointed TDRI president, effective from Monday Oct 1, replacing Niphon Poapongsakorn.

His appointment was announced in a TDRI statement issued Wednesday.

The policy think-tank was established in 1984 to offer recommendations, particularly on economic policies, to both government and the private sector, as well as international organisations.

Mr Somkiat has a deep interest in telecommunications and has been a strong voice in supporting the development of Thailand's telecommunication infrastructure.

Somkiat Tangkitvanich (left) and Niphon Poapongsakorn (Photos by Phrakrit Juntawong and Pattarachai Preechapanich)