The ministry's insurance committee will soon finish a draft to form a committee to administer the organisation. The committee will comprise 11 representatives from both government agencies and experts in insurance and finance.

Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said the ministry is confident of finishing the department's restructuring into an independent organisation on time as the department has accelerated the process to draw up an agenda for operation.

The Cabinet has approved the separation of the Insurance Department into an independent organisation by next April.

Speaking at a seminar in Bangkok yesterday titled "The Establishment of an Office of Insurance Operation and Control Committee", Krirk-krai said the independent operation of the insurance office will facilitate private companies and ordinary people to receive more effective service.

"The government has an international commitment and the establishment of an independent organisation will increase transparency and raise international standards for the Thai organisation's operation," he said.

Chantra Purnariksha, director-general of the Insurance Department, said the department has held a public survey to access how people would like to see the department develop.

The public survey was based on 349 respondents who attended the seminar yesterday.

The department is preparing to become an independent organisation to be more flexible and operate the insurance business more effectively, she said, adding the results of the public survey will be used to create the organisation's framework after the transformation.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation