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Published on February 28, 2008

"My resignation has nothing to do with the return of the old power group," Apinan said, "I just have so much work to do at the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture".

Apinan has long headed the Office of the Contemporary Art and Culture.

However, he took the helm of the OKMD during the previous administration led by Surayud Chulanont, and installed by coup-makers who ousted Thaksin Shinawatra from power.

Also appointed by Surayud's administration to the OKMD board were high-profile figures such as Kraisak Chonhavan and Khunying Kasama Varawarn, who left the board not long after the new government led by the People Power Party came to office.

"There's no ulterior motive behind my resignation from the OKMD," Apinan said yesterday, adding most board members had already left.

Apinan said he did his best throughout his tenure at the OKMD, including efforts to cut down on expenses and to cooperate with an audit by the Office of the Auditor General.

Asked whether his resignation was in protest against the current administration's policy to revive the Thailand Creative & Design Centre (TCDC), Apinan said: "No. I understand that each administration can have different policies".

The previous government ordered that TCDC be merged with the National Discovery Museum Institute in a bid to lower related expenses. The TCDC was found to have paid high salaries to its executives and have spent a lot of money on office décor.

Meanwhile, Culture Minister Anusorn Wongwan said he did not plan to transfer any official at his ministry.

The Nation