Sitthichai's focus is on satellites
Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pokai-udom has already shown a keen interest in the Thaicom satellite business, not least due to his satellite technology background.
The new minister paid an informal visit to the ministry yesterday before he officially assumes office today.He asked officials about the concessions for Thaicom satellites and the royalty streams they generate. The ICT Ministry regulates the country's satellite business. Shin Satellite (ShinSat), the sole commercial satellite operator in the country, has three broadcasting satellites and one broadband satellite, iPSTAR. The ministry earns between Bt400 million and Bt500 million per year from the ShinSat concessions. Sitthichai was rector of Mahanakorn University of Technology, which has a reputation for satellite expertise. Sitthichai told the officials he would lead the ministry to become a grade-A organisation and would gear it to play a key role in promoting software for educational and commercial purposes. "The ministry has a lot of good things, so I don't understand why there's some negative news about it," he told staff. He said his work would be guided by four principles: transparency, fairness, efficiency and wise budget spending. On Monday, Sitthichai said he would push the plan to list TOT Plc and CAT Telecom Plc, which are under the ministry's supervision, on the Stock Exchange of Thailand but declined to say whether he would keep the plan to merge the state agencies. Telecom Reporters, The Nation
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