Undue politicisation at finance and BoTAs the coronavirus crisis unfolds, the Bank of Thailand needs to remain free of politicisation. Yet both the finance ministry portfolio and the BoT governorship now face uncertainty and potential politicisation that bode ill for effective and autonomous fiscal and monetary policies. The initial search period from May 26 to June 16 netted four candidates, two deputy BoT governors and two outsiders with finance, banking, and economics backgrounds. Such a delay is tantamount to a rejection of two experienced BoT deputy chiefs who have spent their professional careers at the central bank. Ultimately, the BoT is not legally "independent" per se, and is under the purview of the finance minister.

Source: Bangkok Post July 02, 2020 22:52 UTC