Irrigation Chief Moved Out In Sudden Job Swap: Thailand

[webfact]

RESHUFFLE

Irrigation chief moved out in sudden job swap

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Chalit Damrongsak yesterday was abruptly removed as chief of the Royal Irrigation Department after a Cabinet decision forced him to swap his post with that of Lertwiroj Kowattana, a deputy permanent secretary for Agriculture.

"Chalit has been promoted to a higher rank. He still oversees the department," Deputy Agriculture Minister Natthawut Saikua said while dismissing speculation that Chalit was being punished for inefficiency in handling the 2011 flood crisis.

Natthawut said he had heard the criticism of Chalit, but did not think that was reason enough for the government to move him to the Agriculture Ministry.

"His experience and expertise will still be useful to the Agriculture Ministry and the Royal Irrigation Department," he added.

YINGLUCK GRATEFUL FOR HELP

Acting government spokesperson and PM's deputy secretary-general Thitima Chaisang said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra thanked everybody for their contribution during her recent working trip to several provinces.

"From now on, the National Water and Flood Policy Committee will have the duty to monitor relevant authorities' performance," she said.

Meanwhile, a Dhurakij Pundit poll yesterday revealed that residents in Ayutthaya's Bang Ban district were willing to let their area be used for retaining water, though many said the government's plan was unclear.

After interviewing 121 households from February 16-19, the poll found that 84.1 per cent of the respondents were willing to let their area be used for water retention, while 15.9 per cent disagreed.

Although 90.7 per cent said they knew about the government's water-management plan, 78.4 per cent of them said it was not clear.

While 25.3 per cent said they were very confident, and 29.2 per cent were moderately confident, 19.6 per cent said they were not very confident and 25.9 per cent had no confidence at all in the government's flood-control plans.

Of the respondents, 89 per cent want the government to study how using the area would affect the residents' livelihood and assets, as well as come up with a compensation sum that both can agree upon before water can be allowed to flow in.

In addition, they said more aid was needed in terms of mobile toilets (89.4 per cent), regular visits from health officials during floods (73.5 per cent) as well as regular food and water supplies (72.2 per cent).

-- The Nation 2012-02-23

[OzMick]

"Chalit has been promoted to a higher rank." DAM Natthawut Saikua said. He did not explain why Lertwiroj has been demoted in the position swap.

If 84% of residents agree, but 78.4% think the proposal is not clear, less than 6% are giving informed consent? (Lies, Dam Lies & Statistics)

[Buchholz]

"Chalit has been promoted to a higher rank. He still oversees the department," Deputy Agriculture Minister Natthawut Saikua said while dismissing speculation that Chalit was being punished for inefficiency in handling the 2011 flood crisis

gobbledygook spoken by one of its masters.... a "promotion", indeed....

[cloudhopper]

Foreign investors must be delighted to see that incompetent ministers are rewarded with a promotion.

[geriatrickid]

Would those that are offering negative views, prefer that the gentleman remain where he was?

Surely, after all their time in Thailand, they understand the basics of Thai culture? A fundamental principle is not to publicly humiliate people.

Edited February 23, 2012 by geriatrickid

[Unkomoncents]

Would those that are offering negative views, prefer that the gentleman remain where he was?

Surely, after all their time in Thailand, they understand the basics of Thai culture? A fundamental principle is not to publicly humiliate people.

But what if they publicly humiliate themselves (which they do regularly). Why shouldn't I be allowed to laugh? Mai pen rai (with a big superficial smile)...right?

[Bakseedaa]

Would those that are offering negative views, prefer that the gentleman remain where he was?

Surely, after all their time in Thailand, they understand the basics of Thai culture? A fundamental principle is not to publicly humiliate people.

They make a pretty good job of doing that themselves...!!

[theanimaster]

"His experience and expertise will still be useful to the Agriculture Ministry and the Royal Irrigation Department," he added."

Since when did ANY Thai official have experience let alone expertise in any of the offices they've been appointed to?

[geriatrickid]

Would those that are offering negative views, prefer that the gentleman remain where he was?

Surely, after all their time in Thailand, they understand the basics of Thai culture? A fundamental principle is not to publicly humiliate people.

But what if they publicly humiliate themselves (which they do regularly). Why shouldn't I be allowed to laugh? Mai pen rai (with a big superficial smile)...right?

The wise farang does it discreetly.

[theanimaster]

The scariest part of this report is the picture of the minister. He looks like my sister's husband.

Hey... there's an idea...

[animatic]

He's an honest, expert, GET RID OF HIM FAST

the land contracts are ready to be signed.

[sparebox2]

Good bye, fair chinese kid.

[WackySomchai]

Since the government claimed the floods were handled perfectly well, why the need to replace Chalit ?

[animatic]

Interesting they pointedly say 'removed' from the position, rather than 'Promoted to a Higher Position', added as an after thought. Clearly he was removed, but kicked up stairs to get him out of the way, and keep him quiet.

Out of the way of what is the bigger question.

Edited February 23, 2012 by animatic

[krading]

As with goverment in every nation the members always manage to rise above their level of incompetence.

[Buchholz]

Interesting they pointedly say 'removed' from the position, rather than 'Promoted to a Higher Position', added as an after thought. Clearly he was removed, but kicked up stairs to get him out of the way, and keep him quiet.

Out of the way of what is the bigger question.

The other paper is more forthright in calling it a "demotion" with his new position being essentially an inactive post.

It further elaborates that the demotion was due to mismanagement of dams as well as making erroneous projections.

The transfer was unexpected and very quickly done through the Cabinet meeting.

As is seemingly obligatory for Yingluck, when she was queried after the meeting about the abrupt transfer, she refused to comment.

Not sure how his job dismissal will effect the court proceedings against him and others who miserably mismanaged the floods...

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and 10 other senior officials are facing a serious challenge over their poor management of the flood crisis from the very man who brought 76 industrial projects in Map Ta Phut to a complete halt a few years ago.

Srisuwan Janya, president of the Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA), returned to the Central Administrative Court yesterday to demand justice for people hit by the recent flood disaster.

"We have asked the court to order inefficient and negligent officials to jointly compensate the plaintiffs based on the actual cost of the damage," he said.

Up to 352 flood victims have given SGWA the authority to represent them in court and each of the plaintiffs is demanding more than Bt100,000 in compensation.

Those being sued are Yingluck; Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who led the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC); Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut; Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit; Royal Irrigation Department Director-General Chalit Damrongsak; Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra; Director-General of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department; Director-General of the Water Resources Department; Director-General of the Pollution Control Department; Director of the National Disaster Warning Centre; and Director-General of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning.

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__4927715

Edited February 23, 2012 by Buchholz

[chrisinth]

"Chalit has been promoted to a higher rank." DAM Natthawut Saikua said. He did not explain why Lertwiroj has been demoted in the position swap.

Good point OzMick

[Ricardo]

Good bye, fair chinese kid.

"So, farewell then, Khun Chalit.

You used to be in charge,

of playing with irrigation-canals.

Now you're washed-away,

in the deluge, it seems. "

with a nod in-the-direction of E J Thribb

Edited February 23, 2012 by Ricardo

[khunken]

Scapegoat comes to mind.

[moe666]

I defer to GK as we all know he is all knowing in the inner workings of the PTP

[Buchholz]

Scapegoat comes to mind.

Better him than other co-defendants higher up, eh?

Those being sued are Yingluck; Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who led the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC); Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut; Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit; Irrigation Department Director-General Chalit Damrongsak

Edited February 23, 2012 by Buchholz

[phiphidon]

Scapegoat comes to mind.

Better him than other co-defendants higher up, eh?

Those being sued are Yingluck; Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who led the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC); Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut; Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit; Irrigation Department Director-General Chalit Damrongsak

I'm sure you didn't mean to but you forgot the democrat Bangkok Governor - or don't you regard him as a "higher up" Edited February 23, 2012 by phiphidon

[rubl]

"Chalit has been promoted to a higher rank.

On 2011-10-16 Director Chalit "assured the public that Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate will not go under".

On 2011-10-17

"Flood Relief Operation Command (FROC) said in a statement it was “confident flood waters will not reach Bangkok", with water being diverted through a complex system of rivers and canals around the city.

It said the situation was “largely under control”.

But irrigation department director general Chalit Damrongsak warned that the situation remained critical as water from low-lying areas north of Bangkok still needed to drain to the sea.

“It is not over,” he said when asked about the crisis."

If k. Chalit is deemed worthy and deserving of a promotion, I think there are a few chaps who took care of FROC who are equally deserving of such promotion for a flooding well done. The Science Minister stirring the waters with his large number of boats reminiscent of Roman emperor Caligula's victory over the North Sea waters, may be added to the list also IMHO

Edited February 23, 2012 by rubl

[Buchholz]

Scapegoat comes to mind.

Better him than other co-defendants higher up, eh?

Those being sued are Yingluck; Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who led the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC); Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut; Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit; Irrigation Department Director-General Chalit Damrongsak

I'm sure you didn't mean to but you forgot the democrat Bangkok Governor - or don't you regard him as a "higher up"

There are 10 other defendants, the ones higher up are listed. That's how scapegoating works.

If Chalit is being set up as a scapegoat in order for Yingluck and the Cabinet Ministers to get a free pass on their disastrous incompetence in flood relief, those are the ones he is taking it on the chin for.

.

Edited February 23, 2012 by Buchholz

[OzMick]

"Chalit has been promoted to a higher rank.

On 2011-10-16 Director Chalit "assured the public that Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate will not go under".

On 2011-10-17

"Flood Relief Operation Command (FROC) said in a statement it was “confident flood waters will not reach Bangkok", with water being diverted through a complex system of rivers and canals around the city.

It said the situation was “largely under control”.

But irrigation department director general Chalit Damrongsak warned that the situation remained critical as water from low-lying areas north of Bangkok still needed to drain to the sea.

“It is not over,” he said when asked about the crisis."

If k. Chalit is deemed worthy and deserving of a promotion, I think there are a few chaps who took care of FROC who are equally deserving of such promotion for a flooding well done. The Science Minister stirring the waters with his large number of boats reminiscent of Roman emperor Caligula's victory over the North Sea waters, may be added to the list also IMHO

Caligula or Canute?

[KKK]

Surely, after all their time in Thailand, they understand the basics of Thai culture? A fundamental principle is not to publicly humiliate people.

I'm pretty sure most long-timers know the principle but they don't have to agree with it. Maybe if Thailand DID publicly humiliate inefficient, incompetent and corrupt offficials then those would-be inefficient, incompetent and corrupt offficials would change their attitudes and do the their jobs properly and the country would benefit from being properly run. A pipe dream maybe but I can wish can't I?

Prime example of humiliation would be to see Thaksin in jail......time to teach the crooks who run and then rob this country blind a lesson ...

[chrisinth]

Does anyone else find it ironic that this guy gets booted from the Royal Irrigation Department and no one from the National Water and Flood Policy Committee has been affected?

The fields certainly got irrigated, by definition anyway! Perhaps it is a promotion after all.

[kimamey]

Would those that are offering negative views, prefer that the gentleman remain where he was?

Surely, after all their time in Thailand, they understand the basics of Thai culture? A fundamental principle is not to publicly humiliate people.

If he's been promoted in a swap then the opposite is true for the other half of the swap so what have they done wrong to be demoted and humiliated?