Sunday, October 4, 2009

TAT GETS NEW CHAIRMAN THIS WEEK

       The search for both a governor and chairman for the Tourism Authority of Thailand is drawing wide attention, as the next leaders will have fully authority over spending of TAT's huge annual and extra budgets.
       Besides the nearly Bt5 billion annual budget earmarked for TAT over the years, comes Bt4 billion to Bt5 billion granted later each year. Some urgent financial assistance may also be added if a calamity strikes the tourism industry as has happened almost every year.
       The stakes are juicy enough to attract many people to contend for the positions and their financial clout.
       This year, TAT is shaken again as the organisation is in the process of filling the vacancies of governor and chairman.
       Altogether 10 outsiders and two insiders appear to be in the running for governor. One of the applicants will be carefully selected by January.
       Before getting the new governor, TAT will this week welcome its new chairman of the board, to be appointed by Tourism Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa.
       The last chairman, Weerasak Kowsurat, quit the board earlier.
       TAT's labour union has complained aloud that a group of politicians is standing behind the scenes.
       Union chief Prasert Vorapitak said politicians are trying to send their people to control the management of TAT and they may abuse their power.
       He said Chumpol on September 14 ordered the TAT board to shuffle five deputy governors, including transferring Auggaphol Brickshawana to an advisory role at TAT.
       However, Chumpol has denied the accusation and said the selection of the governor and chairman would be transparent. He also said he would not revoke the board's changes to the management team.
       More than 200 TAT employees last week stood up to support an internal candidate to be the next governor to prevent politicians from interfering in management.
       "The union has given a short timeframe for the board to revoke the decisions [on deputy governors]. It will retaliate if the board is silent about the calls," Prasert said.

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