What a mess Mr Minister
January 22, 2010 by Chanida Sa-ngiamphaisalsuk
Filed under Thailand
Sidelined permanent secretary, Sasithara Pichaichannarong will attend ATF after a Minister of Tourism and Sports made a last minute decision to re-assigning her to ministerial meetings at Asean Tourism Forum in Brunei that will start 24 January.
Technically, she became ineligible to chair ATF meetings in Brunei, after she was shunted to an inactive post in the PM’s office earlier this week.
Sasithara Pichaichannarong
Critics said the Minister failed to find a substitute and miscalculated the impact of the transfer move, which came on the eve of the ATF with Thailand chairing important tourism strategy meetings
According to secretary general to the minister of Tourism and Sports, Yutthaphon Ankinanda, Tourism and Sports Minister, Chumpol Silapa-archa, conceded that Ms Sasithara was the most suitable person to attend ministerial meetings as the representative of Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports.
Yesterday, the Federation of Thai Travel Agents Association, comprising 17 tourism related associations, expressed regret over the decision to transfer the permanent secretary saying it was an example of blatant political interference.
“There are just two people that have gained our respect recently, Mr Weerasak Kowsurat and Dr Sasithara, because of their ability to coordinate especially during the airport closure crisis in late 2008. Now, with these two gone, both from political interference, we are not sure how the Minister can deliver his ambitious target and reach 15 million or 16 million tourists,” said Thai-Japan Tourist Association president, Anake Srishevachart.
The federation is demanding that the minister explain his reasons for transferring Ms Sasisthara.
Spokesperson, Charoen Wangananont, said he was worried about the outcome of the Tourism Business and Guide Act BE 2551 that needs several details to be finalised especially with reference to the minimum tour package rates.
“The point is there is no one else who can replace Dr Sasithara with the right background knowledge to see this job through,” said Mr Charoen.
His view appears to be have been partly endorsed by the Minister, who was forced to re-assign Dr Sasithara to attend ATF once he realised there was suitable person to chair the meetings.
The federation intends to draft a letter asking the Minister to review his decision.
