Dejected Thai Port Authority Director Calls It Quits.

Byline: Srisamorn Phoosuphanusorn

Jul. 5--Frustration over an intransigent management culture, personal stress and an inability to affect changes have led Mana Patram to call it quits as director-general of the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT).

Mr Mana yesterday said he would step down as PAT head in October, following a turbulent 18 months at the helm of the state enterprise. He already submitted his resignation to the PAT board on Tuesday, but he will continue in that role for another three months.

The PAT, originally scheduled to be privatised this year, has proved intractable to change with union leaders refusing any efforts to reform the agency.

Mr Mana, a 59-year-old veteran of the shipping industry, was brought in to help introduce private sector practices to PAT in preparation for privatisation and listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, a first following nearly six decades of bureaucrats running the port authority.

Despite facing intense pressure and calls from government officials for him to resign or be sacked over what they claimed were his inability to tackle the PAT privatisation problem and improve port operations, Mr Mana said he was leaving of his volition.

"My resignation came because I feel sorry for myself. I have been sick every day since I took the job 18 months ago, so I offered to resign," said Mr Mana.