Ampon Kitti-ampon, outgoing chief of the government's economic think-tank, was yesterday appointed the new Cabinet secretary-general, effective at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, a government spokesman said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said after the weekly Cabinet meeting that Ampon was selected for the job because of his extensive experience and valuable knowledge in many fields, in addition to his suitability.
Ampon has served as NESDB secretary-general for the past six years, the maximum period allowed by the law for any agency head. The prime minister said yesterday that Ampon deserved a new position at the same level.
After news of his appointment, Ampon said he was worried about his new job, as it would require a high degree of prudence. "I will have to learn a lot of new things," he said.
The outgoing NESDB chief said he had adhered to the principles of honesty, integrity and sufficiency in performing his duties. He asked younger civil servants not to expect wealth or fame from their jobs in the bureaucracy.
Ampon, 55, also serves as chairman of the national carrier Thai Airways International's board of directors. He is viewed as having close ties with veteran politician Newin Chidchob, a de facto leader of coalition party Bhum Jai Thai who has been stripped of his electoral rights for five years. Ampon's appointment as the THAI board chairman was said to be pushed by Bhum Jai Thai, which oversees the Ministry of Transport.
Speculation on Ampon was that he would become the new permanent secretary of the Ministry of Finance, but Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij favoured an insider. Ampon is not a law expert, a quality possessed by most previous Cabinet secretaries-general.
The Cabinet yesterday also endorsed appointments of other top bureaucrats, said Marut, the deputy government spokesman.
Thakoon Dittha-amnart and Watta Wuttisan, both senior advisers to the National Intelligence Agency, were appointed its new deputy directors. Chalermporn Pirunsarn, secretary-general of the Agricultural Land Reform Office, becomes the new permanent secretary for agriculture, and deputy permanent secretary for labour Somkiat Chayasriwong is set to serve as the ministry's permanent secretary.