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Published on August 9, 2007

FYI: the central bank offers early retirement for officials who don't want to work until they reach 60.

In fact, the package is open every year, shortly before the end of the fiscal year.

Therefore, the topic that most bank officials discuss at the water cooler these days is whether anyone of them will apply for early retirement.

Therefore some reporters - fortunately not on The Nation staff - didn't think it would be rude to ask the question of Tarisa, who still has a few years left until normal retirement age. After all, three assistant governors will retire this year.

And a rumour swirled around that the central bank's headquarters that Tarisa, known to prefer a low-profile lifestyle, may decide to take the early-retirement package instead of having to bear criticism of her performance at the institution.

"Will you consider the early-retirement package?" one reporter blurted out when the press corps met her on Tuesday.

Tarisa was taken aback. She looked grim. Reporters looked at each other anxiously, signalling that they thought the timing of the question might not be right.

But Tarisa hit back and answered calmly.

"The more challenging the work, the more I think I need to continue working," she said. "I am not the kind of person who would give up easily."

Okay. Roger that.

Last chance?

About 30 lottery vendors rallied in front of the Finance Ministry yesterday to remind Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussarngkarn that he has yet to tackle the two-and three-digit lottery issue.

In fact, the association of lottery vendors had planned to mobilise 100 members, but rain kept many away.

Association chairman Voravudhi Kamolwittiyanont said the government's decision to suspend the two-and three-digit lotteries for 10 months had led to Bt15.12 billion in lost income. The vendors alone have lost income totalling Bt6.48 billion, with some forced to become non-performing-loan debtors.

The lottery vendors said they couldn't endure the situation any longer. If the Finance Ministry fails to solve the problem soon, they will charge that the ministry has an interest in the suspension of the lottery schemes.

They plan to make the same complaint to the Government Lottery Office today.

 

jeerawat@nationgroup.com