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Published on September 21, 2007

He also expressed his intention to resign as chairman of TOT and Airports of Thailand (AOT).

Ah, but he may not need to do this, at least at the AOT.

He attended yesterday's AOT board meeting (the next will take place on October 1). Whether or not he was surprised, he must have been elated when fellow board members presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

Most of the directors were appointed at the same time as Saprang - shortly after the coup which led to the expiration of the former board -

and they knew that it was time to show Saprang moral support.

To the board members, Saprang has been dedicated to solving problems at the AOT, and in a short period most of his efforts will come to pass. As such, Saprang should stay on to enjoy the fruits of success.

Certainly, Saprang would be happy to stay on. In a short while, the board expects that all controversies between the AOT and King Power International, the operator of the duty-free area at Suvarnabhumi Airport, will be concluded.

The board does not expect the Civil Court to rule in favour of King Power.

But if King Power wins the case, the board would be in

the hot seat, given that

King Power demands compensation worth tens of billions of baht.

It seems the board has a positive-thinking approach. If things go as expected, Saprang has good reason to cling to his post.

What about TOT? Will the environment be as joyous as at the AOT yesterday, when the TOT board convenes?

Our insiders said TOT had actually scheduled its board meeting for today, but it was postponed.

That postponement is not surprising, though, since the board is now being

grilled by the press on the controversial broadband project which secretly incorporates procurement of electronic equipment for the Army intelligence unit.

Unlike at the AOT where no public protest has been launched, some members of the TOT labour union have pressed the board to resign

for its failure to lift the organisation's financial performance.

Saprang must have changed his mind about leaving the AOT.

But will he receive another bouquet when he attends the next TOT board meeting?

Why should he care when he's still loved by some?

 

achara_d@nationgroup.com