Deadlock broken over Juthamas' repeat as governor of TAT
Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan is likely to see her term extended after caretaker Tourism Minister Pracha Maleenont worked out a compromise around regulatory hurdles.
Yesterday, Pracha chaired a TAT board meeting that resolved that a selection committee would be set up next month to appoint the new governor. The decision ended the row between Pracha and the ministry's permanent secretary, Sakthip Krairirk. Earlier, Pracha planned to immediately extend Juthamas's four-year term, but Sakthip said that would go against the law which states that the term of a state enterprise's chief cannot not be extended in such a way. "The TAT board agreed with the decision to set up a selection committee and Sakthip will chair that committee," Pracha said. Sakthip will also invite a group of experts from various industries to join the committee. The process of determining the criteria for the new TAT governor is expected to take the next few months before opening for applications. Juthamas, whose term ends in September, is expected to be one of the candidates. "Juthamas is the only person at this time who is suitable as TAT governor," Pracha insisted. He said the country is in dire need of tourism income due to many negative factors including political uncertainty and social problems that are slowing the economy. Juthamas is able to navigate the tourism industry through these difficulties as she has done in past years, he said. "I have reported this matter to caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra," he said. The new governor must realise the importance of the tourism industry and be good in the fields of marketing and publicity, he said. Presert Vorapitak, president of TAT's employee union, said most staff are supporting Juthamas to stay on. A TAT source said the new governor would be selected as soon as possible so that tourism strategies will not be delayed. TAT has been ordered by the government to attract 14.2 million international visitors this year instead of the original goal of 13.5 million, amid fears that export growth will miss the 17.5-per-cent target. Tourism income is needed to reduce the current account deficit this year. To achieve the tourist arrivals target, TAT plans to launch roadshows in all major targeted markets such as Japan, Russia, China and the Middle East. Suchat Sritama The Nation
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