Marketing veteran Mingkwan Sangsuwan appears to have little chance of winning back his job as MCOT Plc president, according to a source close to the military.

The reason was the expected opposition to his return by opponents of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mingkwan resigned following the broadcaster's airing of a Thaksin statement on the day of the coup.

The source said former senator Chirmsak Pinthong was likely to be nominated for the position.

The MCOT union has backed Mingkwan's return as a result of his "superb performance in taking the company from loss to profit".

MCOT runs Modernine television and many radio stations all over the country.

Its shares rose Bt1.75 yesterday to Bt32.75 on the news. Shares had dived 25 per cent on Mingkwan's resignation.

Shareholders would meet today to appoint a new board of directors. The entire board followed Mingkwan out the door.

A new board will then nominate candidates for the top job.

The source, who asked not to be named, said military men would likely be among the new team and could include General Panthep Phuvanartnurak.

"The government is now looking into the company's past operations, including its dividend payment. It is also considering buying back shares," he said.

The company went public during the Thaksin era although the Finance Ministry is still the biggest stakeholder with more than 65 per cent.

A return for Mingkwan depended on the Prime Minister's Office and the Finance Ministry.

"If they want Mingkwan to return, that can be done easily. They can tear up his resignation. The question is if they want the old guy or a representative of the National Security Council," one observer said.

The media company is just one former state enterprise with board changes in the mix.

Resignations will pave the way for the military-backed government to replace alleged Thaksin appointments with new faces.

Yesterday, Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom revealed the CAT Telecom board had quit as would the TOT and Thailand Post boards today.

He declined to confirm or deny they would be replaced by military representatives.

"The important thing is the board should comprise financial experts to advise state agencies in their business investments," he added, saying he would definitely not promote persons with close ties to him.

Sitthichai said the boardroom moves followed resignation of the minister's permanent secretary Kraisorn Pornsutee from his posts of CAT chairman and a TOT director.

He added new boards would be appointed within the next few months.