TOT tiff blows up

By Wassana Nanuam

Fired president Vuthiphong Priebjrivat of TOT Corp accused the army of demanding secret money for off-the-books equipment purchases. Chairman Saprang Kalayanamitr is furious the media got this story.

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TOT chairman Saprang Kalayanamitr yesterday slammed the agency's ousted acting president Vuthiphong Priebjrivat for lacking etiquette in leaking information from a board meeting to the press.

Gen Saprang's reaction came after Mr Vuthiphong accused the army of asking the state agency give it financial support of 800 million baht for the procurement of "electronic equipment" for use in national security work.

His accusation was seemingly in retaliation against the board at the country's top telecommunications state agency, which sacked him from his position as acting president on Thursday with immediate effect.

The board also asked the Finance Ministry to remove him from the board.

Gen Saprang, also assistant army chief and deputy secretary-general of the Council for National Security, said the dismissal order had nothing to do with Mr Vuthiphong's objection to the purchase of the electronic equipment.

The devices are rumoured to be eavesdropping tools but Gen Saprang refused to explain what equipment the army had sought financial assistance for.

He defended the board's decision, saying Mr Vuthiphong was fired because he defied Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom at a recent seminar attended by TOT employees in the South.

He said the ICT minister was unhappy with Mr Vuthiphong and the board had ordered an inquiry.

He said Thai society had different social aspects from western society and knowledgeable people should avoid showing disrespect to their seniors or commanders.

If anyone made improper remarks against their seniors, he must make an apology and show responsibility for his words, he said.

He said Mr Vuthiphong rejected his request for him to resign over his critical remark. The board then held a meeting to sack him.

Gen Saprang said he had invited Mr Vuthiphong onto the TOT board as he wanted to give him an opportunity to demonstrate his ability at the state enterprise.