(Bangkok Post via NewsEdge) Somprasong Boonyachai, the executive chairman of the mobile operator AIS, is set to take the helm of embattled parent Shin as part of a broad management shakeup of the telecom group.
Somprasong, who also is currently vice-chairman of Shin's executive committee, will become the executive chairman and CEO under the plan to be approved by the company board.
He succeeds Boonklee Plangsiri, who left day-to-day operations at the company last month.
Other senior Shin executives leaving the group include Siripen Sitasuwan, the Shin CFO, and Niwathamrong Boonsongpaisan, the former executive chairman of broadcaster iTV.
Sources said Boonklee and Siripen were likely to stay on as Shin directors, while Niwathamrong would take up an advisory position.
Somprasong declined to comment, saying discussions of any management change should be made by Shin's board and major shareholders.
The changes come as Singapore's Temasek Holdings, the major shareholder of Shin, continues to struggle with regulatory and legal issues that have dominated Thai-Singaporean relations since the deal was sealed last year.
Temasek and its shareholding vehicles are under investigation for possible violations of the Foreign Business Act after taking control of Shin in a buyout of shares from the family of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The management and board shakeup will result in the departure of some of Thaksin's key business lieutenants. Temasek hopes that the restructuring and a subsequent re-branding will help reduce the ongoing public perception of Shin as connected to Thaksin.
© 2007 Bangkok Post
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