The CTJ held its annual caucus at the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) yesterday to elect a new executive board.

Thepchai is also president of the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association.

TJA president Wanchai Wongmeechai was elected as first vice president of the CTJ and Chakorn Nookongmai, president of the Thai Business Journalists Association, picked as second vice president. Anan Nilmanont, president of the Regional Newspaper Association, was made third vice president with Proy Sombat, of the Thai Regional Journalists Association, selected fourth vice president. After the election, Thepchai made a speech to welcome the new CTJ board. He said the board would have to deal with new challenges following the launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

AEC integration meant journalists from the 10 Asean nations would cooperate closely, he said, adding that Thailand would assume the chair of the Confederation of Asean Journalists next year and host a general assembly of Asean journalists.