Bank of Ayudhya said yesterday Krit Ratanarak had resigned as CEO, to be replaced by Ekasak Phuriphol, vice chairman of the executive board. Krit remains as the bank's chairman of the board of directors. - The Nation.

Rice bidding

The Commerce Ministry is planning to change its rice-bidding procedure, to ensure transparency and higher prices. The ministry called a meeting with parties, including the Thai Rice Millers Association and the Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA), early this week, to gather comments and suggestions.

Caretaker Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said yesterday that he had ordered Permanent Secretary Karun Kittisataporn to take responsibility for drawing up the new bidding system. It will be use in the next bidding programme for 400,000 tonnes of jasmine rice, coming up soon.

TREA president Chookiat Opaswong said the ministry should hold an auction after the price-intervention programme was finished, to ensure rice of high quality. The ministry should also inform bidders at least seven days in advance of the auction, instead of two days. - The Nation.