Tourism sector divided over elected versus appointed provincial governors

[webfact]

 

The debate over elected provincial governors versus appointed heads is intensifying, revealing a divide among tourism operators. This issue gained momentum during last year’s general election, when several political parties, including Pheu Thai, proposed allowing locals to elect their governors, a practice already in place in Bangkok and Pattaya.

 

Pheu Thai’s coalition government, during its policy announcement, introduced a CEO-governor model aiming to give provincial governors the same authority as a company CEO.

 

This call for elected governors grew louder on social media last week. Communities in Chiang Mai, frustrated with the handling of hazardous smog levels by appointed governors, led the charge.

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, voiced his support for elected governors. He argued that provincial governors should have a more significant role in local economies, especially tourism, and in addressing tourist safety issues.

According to Sisdivachr, the current system of appointed governors, who are rotated to different provinces by the central government, leads to inconsistent policies and hindered development.

 

“Elected governors won’t be afraid to get their hands dirty if they know constituents gave them the authority, unlike appointed governors who still have to consider their career path,” he said.

 

However, not all share this viewpoint. La-iad Bungsrithong, a board advisor for the Thai Hotels Association’s northern chapter, believes that appointed governors can still play a crucial role, forming a direct connection with the national government and balancing local administrative power, reported Bangkok Post.

 

La-iad voiced concerns about the potential lack of suitable local candidates in some provinces. She argued that maintaining strong connections with the central government is crucial for provinces. With municipal mayors and provincial administrative organisation (PAO) presidents already elected by locals, she suggests that “it might be better to have one appointed governor who can directly connect with the central administration.”

 

by Alex Morgan

Picture courtesy of Evan Krause, Unsplash

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-16

 

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[Will B Good]

Elected every time....only sensible option.

[dinsdale]

Can't see a problem with non-elected governors. Let's face it a non-elected senate has worked fine (not for democracy of course). Indeed in a country where the government itself is non-elected it seems to me that non-elected governors would be the norm. 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“Elected governors won’t be afraid to get their hands dirty if they know constituents gave them the authority, unlike appointed governors who still have to consider their career path,”

Elected governors must perform or get the boot.... appointed governors are just on the gravy train.

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Pheu Thai’s coalition government, during its policy announcement, introduced a CEO-governor model aiming to give provincial governors the same authority as a company CEO.

A strange analogy if one intends to uphold a publicly elected governor consistent with a democratic process.

Typically, it is the Board of Directors who nominates the CEO and company shareholders who vote for the appointment. Anyone outside of the company, ie., the public-at-large like consumers, has no vote. In this CEO elected analogy, the "consumers" are the public electorate (registered voters within the province) tgat will continue to have no vote.

Who are these BOD and shareholders who have the vote?

Not identified. Might as well be analogous to the current "elected" Senate.

Thus, this "division" appears to be a false democratic disguise by an otherwise exiting authoritarian political control of the truly entitled voting electorate. Neither should be considered.

(added edit - using the CEO analogy means shareholders buy their vote with exchange of money for shares. Isn't that illegal in Thailand?)

 

Edited April 16 by Srikcir
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[madmitch]

A provincial Governor should be someone who knows the province, not someone brought in from outside, and the best way to ensure this if for a proper election.

 

Also, if an appinted governor upsets the status quo, it's easy to get him(or in very rare cases her) moved to another province, something that couldn't happen with an elected governor. 

 

Unlikely to happen under the current regime as this will give too much power to the progressive parties in many provinces.

[Mavideol]

but as there is always a But and a IF.... elected by local constituents and don't belong to the same party as the PM it may create trouble, if they are locally elected what part (if any) can they play in the general election

[dinsdale]

7 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Can't see a problem with non-elected governors. Let's face it a non-elected senate has worked fine (not for democracy of course). Indeed in a country where the government itself is non-elected it seems to me that non-elected governors would be the norm. 

It would seem from negative emojis to my above post (quoted) that some people cannot recognise that I'm pulling the piss.