In the reorganisation, which took effect last Thursday, the bank appointed Piti Sithi-Amnuai to replace Kosit Panpiemras as executive chairman. Kosit resigned from the bank after he was appointed deputy prime minister and industry minister by the Council for National Security.

The bank also appointed senior executive vice president Suvarn Thansathit to the post of director to fill another vacancy left by a resignation.

Executive vice president Boonsong Bunyasaranand was promoted to senior executive vice president, and the incumbent chairman and audit committee were reinstated for another two-year term beginning November 4.

"Once Kosit returns to the bank after serving the government for about one year, the bank might ask our shareholders to add one more director position for him.

"His former position, executive chairman, would be considered later," said bank chairman Chatri Sophonpanich.

Suvarn was also appointed to be director overseeing the bank's provincial banking business, replacing Thamnoon Laukaikul. Thamnoon, 75, Bangkok Bank's current senior executive vice president, will resign on January 1.

Suvarn is an expert in provincial banking, having overseen the department before moving on to managing the bank's bad debts following the 1997 financial crisis.

Bangkok Bank intends to use upgraded technology to further expand provincial and consumer loans, Chatri said.

Somruedi Banchongduang

The Nation