The Straits Times, January 27, 2007
By Nirmal Ghosh, THAILAND CORRESPONDENT
He will play crucial role in controversy over Shin Corp
BANGKOK - SAPRANG Kalyanamitr, a top general with a hardline reputation, was on Thursday given additional charge of a major public enterprise when he was appointed chairman of the board of TOT (Telephones of Thailand Plc).
TOT has exclusive rights to own and operate all domestic fixed-line infrastructure in Thailand.
It is also the organisation under whose concession the Shin Corp company Advanced Info Service (AIS) operates.
AIS - a cash cow for Shin Corp - dominates Thailand's mobile phone sector. But like its parent company, it is under a cloud.
This week, the Thai government launched an investigation into whether AIS and another Shin Corp company, Shinsat, have been involved in eavesdropping on phone lines - an allegation by Council for National Security (CNS) chief general Sonthi Boonyarataglin which has been strongly denied by both companies.
Last November, AIS was also the subject of statements filed with the newly set up Assets Examination Committee by Korn Chatikavanij, deputy secretary-general of the Democrat Party, and one other complainant, alleging that the company had improperly benefited from changes to concession terms under the previous administration.
The Assets Examination Committee was set up to probe allegations of corruption in the previous administration - especially those related to Mr Thaksin and his family and associates.
General Saprang's role and influence could thus be crucial in the complex, ongoing controversy over Shin Corp and Temasek Holdings.
A firm royalist, the 58- year-old general is seen as most likely to succeed General Sonthi Boonyarataglin as army chief in October.
He now sits at the helm of two major corporations, the Airports of Thailand (AOT) and TOT.
The general, formerly commander of army region 3 in Thailand's north-east, is now assistant army chief.
He is also an assistant secretary in the Council for National Security (CNS), which has been running the country since the bloodless coup that toppled Mr Thaksin last year.
Whatever approach Gen Saprang takes, he is not shy about showing his teeth.
This week, amid the ongoing troubles at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, he hinted that he would conduct a major reshuffle of the AOT's top management to promote efficiency.
On Thursday, Minister for Information and Communication Technology Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom referred to Gen Saprang's 'strong personality'' when he announced his appointment at TOT.
The general was appointed to head the TOT soon after the military's coup, but his name was withdrawn when eyebrows were raised over the number of generals appointed to top positions in government departments and public sector companies.
The general has always been outspoken about his dislike for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Many analysts believe that, given his outspoken and uncompromising personality and record as a royalist, he is firmly against the return of the former premier to Thai politics.
If he takes over as army chief as expected after Gen Sonthi's retirement, he would be expected to work to ensure that does not happen.
By Nirmal Ghosh, THAILAND CORRESPONDENT
He will play crucial role in controversy over Shin Corp
BANGKOK - SAPRANG Kalyanamitr, a top general with a hardline reputation, was on Thursday given additional charge of a major public enterprise when he was appointed chairman of the board of TOT (Telephones of Thailand Plc).TOT has exclusive rights to own and operate all domestic fixed-line infrastructure in Thailand.
It is also the organisation under whose concession the Shin Corp company Advanced Info Service (AIS) operates.
AIS - a cash cow for Shin Corp - dominates Thailand's mobile phone sector. But like its parent company, it is under a cloud.
This week, the Thai government launched an investigation into whether AIS and another Shin Corp company, Shinsat, have been involved in eavesdropping on phone lines - an allegation by Council for National Security (CNS) chief general Sonthi Boonyarataglin which has been strongly denied by both companies.
Last November, AIS was also the subject of statements filed with the newly set up Assets Examination Committee by Korn Chatikavanij, deputy secretary-general of the Democrat Party, and one other complainant, alleging that the company had improperly benefited from changes to concession terms under the previous administration.
The Assets Examination Committee was set up to probe allegations of corruption in the previous administration - especially those related to Mr Thaksin and his family and associates.
General Saprang's role and influence could thus be crucial in the complex, ongoing controversy over Shin Corp and Temasek Holdings.
A firm royalist, the 58- year-old general is seen as most likely to succeed General Sonthi Boonyarataglin as army chief in October.
He now sits at the helm of two major corporations, the Airports of Thailand (AOT) and TOT.
The general, formerly commander of army region 3 in Thailand's north-east, is now assistant army chief.
He is also an assistant secretary in the Council for National Security (CNS), which has been running the country since the bloodless coup that toppled Mr Thaksin last year.
Whatever approach Gen Saprang takes, he is not shy about showing his teeth.
This week, amid the ongoing troubles at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, he hinted that he would conduct a major reshuffle of the AOT's top management to promote efficiency.
On Thursday, Minister for Information and Communication Technology Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom referred to Gen Saprang's 'strong personality'' when he announced his appointment at TOT.
The general was appointed to head the TOT soon after the military's coup, but his name was withdrawn when eyebrows were raised over the number of generals appointed to top positions in government departments and public sector companies.
The general has always been outspoken about his dislike for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Many analysts believe that, given his outspoken and uncompromising personality and record as a royalist, he is firmly against the return of the former premier to Thai politics.
If he takes over as army chief as expected after Gen Sonthi's retirement, he would be expected to work to ensure that does not happen.
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