MCOT chief eyes another term
Mingkwan Sangsuwan, president of MCOT Plc, which operates Modernine TV and many radio stations, yesterday submitted an application to a selection committee to stay his position for another four years.
Tongthong Chandransu, MCOT's director and director of the selection committee, said yesterday that Mingkwan was the first person to submit an application for the position. The application period ends on April 28.
Mingkwan's current term will end on July 31.
The next president will be called upon to enhance MCOT's capability by promoting competitiveness domestically and internationally. The National Broadcasting Committee (NBC) might be set up next month and will likely enforce laws that create a highly competitive atmosphere. MCOT's next president will have to be deal with this as well.
He said MCOT had transformed from a conservative media company into a modern one during its transition from a state enterprise into a public company.
Although Mingkwan has proven his management capability during the past four years, Tongthong said the selection process was still necessary because the Ministry of Finance, as a government agency, which holds a 77-per-cent stake in the company, requires a selection process every time an MCOT president's term expires.
Tongthong does not know yet whether there will be additional candidates but said the presence of theselection committee is required even thought Mingkwan might be the only candidate for the position.
Mingkwan said he has already formulated his plans for his next term if he is allowed to continue in his position. He would not elaborate, saying he would reveal his strategy only if he is granted a second term.
He said he would continued to conduct road shows to help MCOT attract investors from overseas. He will fly tonight to Edinburgh, Scotland and London to conduct road shows. He is also continuing the second phase of development of radio stations.
MCOT's revenue last year was Bt3.48 billion, an increase of 17 per cent. Its net profit was Bt1.104 billion, a rise of 33 per cent from 2004. Mingkwan said MCOT's performance during the first quarter of this year was good, but he declined to reveal the results because they had yet to be submitted to the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
Nitida Asawanipont
The Nation
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