The application deadline for the Bank of Thailand's next governor is likely to be extended after a selection committee decided that four applicants are not enough.
Whether applications will be reopened, and for how long, are topics for discussion at the committee's next meeting on Thursday, committee chairman Rangsan Sriworasart said on Monday.
There were only two external applicants, which was too few. An extension would allow other qualified outsiders to apply for the central bank's top job, he said.
By comparison, there were 5-6 applicants when the job was thrown open last time, he said
Local media reported central bank deputy governors Mathee Supapongse and Ronadol Numnonda applied for the job.
Former head of institutional business at Ayudhya JF Asset Management Tongjai Thanachanan and former chief investment officer and head of fixed income at Ayudhya JF Asset Management Suchart Techaposai were reported to be the other two applicants.
Both external applicants have experience working at the Bank of Thailand.
Mrs Tongjai is a former investment officer at the central bank, and Mr Suchart former senior investment dealer there. Ayudhya JF Asset Management has been renamed Krungsri Asset Management.
Mr Rangsan said it was not a requirement that the selection committee propose the shortlisted candidates to the finance minister 90 days before the outgoing governor's term ends.
If the application deadline were extended, the appointment would still be completed before incumbent governor Veerathai Santiprabhob's tenure expires at the end of September.
Mr Veerathai recently announced he would not apply for a second five-year term.
According to tradition, the committee must name at least two shortlisted candidates and propose them to the finance minister, currently Uttama Savanayana, who then forwards his choice for the next governor to the cabinet for approval.
Mr Rangsan said if the June 25 committee meeting decides not to extend the deadline, the applicants were scheduled to present their vision for the job on June 29, and the committee would submit the names of shortlisted candidates to the minister by July 2.