Sasithara sidelined to inactive post
January 20, 2010 by Chanida Sa-ngiamphaisalsuk
Filed under News
The Thai Cabinet announced the transfer of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports permanent secretary, Sasithara Pichaichannarong, yesterday, to the post of senior advisor to the Prime Minister. The decision was based on a proposal from the Office of the Permanent Secretary.
According to Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjachewa, Ms Sasithara will work with the newly appointed deputy prime minister, Trairong Suwankiri, in what is considered an inactive post. The Prime Minster said “management reasons” prompted the transfer.
Sasithara Pichaichannarong
The Thai Cabinet did not identify who will replace Dr Sasithara at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
There were immediate questions as to why the Office of the Permanent Secretary had recommended an “out-of-season” transfer. Usually, high ranking bureaucrats move at the close of the fiscal year, 30 September or on completing a term of four years.
She is also being transferred to an inactive post, usually reserved for government officials, who have either upset a government minister, or are under investigation.
Dr Sasithara has reached the top level in the country’s bureaucracy with a provincial governorship as the only remaining career opportunity open to her before she is due to retire.
Dr Sasithara was named a permanent secretary in October 2007. Currently, she also holds international posts in the UN World Tourism Organisation’s Regional Commission for East Asia and is the Pacific chairperson and Thailand’s Asean NTO head. She will be required to resign from these posts to make way for the new permanent secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
The sudden decision also means she will not be able to attend the Asean Tourism Forum, 21 to 28 January, in Brunei, where she was supposed to present a five-year Asean strategic plan as well as report on Thailand’s progress in establishing a set of standards for the region’s tourism industry.
She was instrumental in the on-going project to develop the Asean website under the concept of “Feel the Warmth.” Her mini site http://sasithara.mots.go.th has been take off-line.
Dr Sasithara is best known for her efforts to assist tourists caught in the 2008 airport closures. She shined best during a crisis when she was able to fast-track approval for emergency funds and secure loans for tourism enterprises.
She also brought closure to the bidding process on the construction of Chiang Mai Convention and Exhibition Centre, and chaired the TAT governor selection committee.
But she has enemies, some within the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, who felt she was too abrasive, particularly when publicly berating those who failed to deliver results according to her schedule.
According to the secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Yutthaphon Ankinanda, the Bureau of Budget deputy director, Arttachai Burakamkovit, will be asked to replace Dr Sasithara.
This can only be a temporary fix. According to his profile, Mr Arttachai, born 30 September ,1950, and will reach retirement 30 September, this year. A source in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports expects the Office of Sports and Recreation Development director, Sombat Khuruphan, to replace Mr Arttachai after his retirement.
That still leaves the mystery as to why Dr Sasithara was axed at such short notice. Any insights on this turn of events? Cast a little light on the mystery by posting a comment.
Shout out loud “Civil servant network must reunite”. We would like to see civil servants get together as one and be strong enough to fight politicians who abuse their power. Politicians cannot have power if civil servants are united and strong as one. How can politicians move without civil servants doing the work ?
Talk about damning with praise. It is always amusing to see how patronising expats are about Thai politics and its leaders, and this one takes the cake. A lowly foreign lackey commenting like this is embarassing for the rest of us. The good Doctor doesn’t need this kind of support, quite the opposite. Expats should show just a little respect, and also understand more the arcane aspects of Thai politics.
It’s the “arcane aspects of Thai politics” that makes this place so zenophobic. They don’t deserve your ‘respect’ (which I suspect is tongue-in-cheek). Good ridance to her, except there’s another hundred just like her in the wings waiting to line.
Too bad. Dr. Sasithara was a great contributor to Thai, regional and international tourism. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her during my years at PATA, ADB and the MTO. Her personality and drive will be missed. I am sure she will do great things wherever she next ends up. I have great respect for her intellect and drive.