According to board member Chirmsak Pinthong, it will set up a joint committee with members representing AOT and the Office of the Attorney-General to scrutinise legal aspects of the concessions awarded to King Power International.

What surprises me is that there is any legal aspect to be scrutinised, after the Council of State, which screens all the laws in the Kingdom, ruled that the contracts with King Power were null as violating the Public/Private Joint Venture Act. This is all the more

surprising as the board two months ago acted on the Council of State's ruling nullifying the contracts. What on earth does it need the committee for?

My surprise comes amid speculation why after two months the OAG has not yet sent any notification of the nullification to King Power.

We have also heard that Vichai Raksri-aksorn, chairman of King Power, was last week in Singapore, whence he was boarding a flight to somewhere in Europe, not fleeing, of course; it is all in the line of business. Running duty-free shops and commercial areas at Suvarnabhumi Airport involves frequent travel overseas to keep in close contact with international companies that have placed their products with one.

It does suggest, though, that he knows he won't be shutting up shop in the immediate future.

If all this has me scratching my head, imagine what it will do to the new AOT president.

AOT is taking applications for the job of president until May 29. Its classified ad says it is looking for candidates who possess sound knowledge and experience of managing large organisations. The candidates must have "well-rounded character, high competency and leadership capability" and "possess vision, good morals and ethics, a knack for human relations and the ability to coordinate work at the international level".

In recognition of these accomplishments, the president is entitled to a seemingly huge salary ranging from Bt400,000 to Bt900,000, depending on qualifications and experience. (Former president Chotisak Asapaviriya is reported to have drawn Bt600,000.)

In fact the sum is small in view of the responsibility.

AOT operates five international airports as well as Don Mueang. At Suvarnabhumi alone, dubbed Asia's largest airport, there are tons of problems. Certainly one the new pre-sident will have to field

straightaway is that of King Power, quite apart from political pressure.

It will be interesting to see how many applications there are when deadline comes round.

achara_d@nationgroup.com