The NCPO will allow the remaining ThaiHealth board members to resume operations after they were unable to hold meetings due to the absence of the second deputy committee chairman, who the NCPO had removed along with six other board members due to their links to public organisations sponsored by ThaiHealth.

Ticha na Nakorn, one of the remaining ThaiHealth specialist board members, said she was certain that one of the two specialists, herself and Chamnan Phichetphan, were in the running.

“ThaiHealth has a rule that if an executive member of the committee is absent, the board cannot operate. However, this Friday we will have an important meeting to approve the new ThaiHealth manager. If the committee cannot operate in time, ThaiHealth’s work will be further delayed,” Ticha explained.

“Therefore, it is important that the board be allowed to work properly without any legal problems.”

She also disclosed that officials had asked if she was willing to accept the position and that she had decided not to make a decision until the position was offered to Chamnan first.

“I’m not interested in the post. I’m not very good at management, but if it is necessary, I will take the position so the ThaiHealth board can continue working,” she said.

The newly nominated second deputy committee chairman will have to first be approved by the Cabinet before taking the post officially. This process will have to be completed before Friday, ahead of the next round of the ThaiHealth board’s meeting.