webfact Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Wichean unfazed by latest move to transport Panya Thiosangwan, Somthawin Thepsawat The Nation Wichean BANGKOK: -- It might seem odd to see a former police chief and security czar taking up the position of permanent secretary at the Transport Ministry - but Wichean Potephosree agreed to the job because his boss assigned him and he was proud to do so. He will hold the position until his retirement at the end of September next year. Wichean has been moved many times over the past year under Yingluck Shinawatra's government. He served as national police chief when Yingluck came to office, before being transferred to become secretary-general of the National Security Council. That move paved the way for Yingluck's brother-in-law Priewpan Damapong to be national police chief. Wichean said he never believed earlier rumours that he would be moved again to the position of permanent-secretary of the Transport Ministry, as it was not familiar to him. However, it became true, as Transport Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan called him and confirmed the new position would be effective from October 1, at the beginning of new fiscal year. "I'm not disappointed as long as it is an order from the commander. I'm proud of it," he said in an interview. "That means (she) trusts me." He is the first permanent-secretary at the Transport Ministry who has a background in police and security matters. "Outsiders might not know, but transport and the security agency are under the same security law," he said. "This ministry has a lot of infrastructure construction mega projects underway with a huge budget. It might be useful if a former police office has a chance to look at these projects in detail. They could [be cleaned up of] corruption," he said. Although he has been a police officer for a long time in the bureaucracy, Wichean said he also holds two master's degrees in public and business administration as well as a master's in economic law. "I can recall [and apply] this knowledge easily for the new job," he said. Wichean said he would enter the ministry alone and did not have his own support group. The ministry had many capable officials who could team up with him, he said. Of course, there might be some officials who may want to block his way - but Wichean said that was the nature of the Thai bureaucracy and such a problem was not difficult to overcome. "I have no bias towards anybody there as an assigned superior. I will spend the next year of my career doing my best," he said. "What I need to do urgently now is to recall my knowledge on public administration to run the ministry," he said. "Perhaps, the best knowledge I have is about exercising security - to secure my position," he said as a joke. -- The Nation 2012-10-03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiSoLowSoNoSo Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 "What I need to do urgently now is to recall my knowledge on public administration to run the ministry," he said. "Perhaps, the best knowledge I have is about exercising security - to secure my position," he said as a joke. The whole PT government in a nutshell! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiawatcher Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Putting this guy in charge of transport is like putting Thaksin in charge of Thailand. Both will be beneficial to the individual and a disaster for everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noitom Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Having to "recall all one's knowledge" about a supposedly specialty is quite a statement. Pushed into a role like this with a year to go until retirement. To secure his position, as a joke. The best offense is a good defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentlemanJim Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 "This ministry has a lot of infrastructure construction mega projects underway with a huge budget. It might be useful if a former police office has a chance to look at these projects in detail. They could [be cleaned up of] corruption," he said. I am just going to check myself in for an X-ray, there could be up to 4 ribs cracked! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billd766 Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Ho hum. Jobs for the cronies again. It seems strange now but I am sure Yingluck said the best qualified people would be selected for the right position. SangSom must be corrupting my memory cells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pib Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 "This ministry has a lot of infrastructure construction mega projects underway with a huge budget. It might be useful if a former police office has a chance to look at these projects in detail. They could [be cleaned up of] corruption," he said. Sure...cleaned of corruption....sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unkomoncents Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Clearly policy expertise is of no importance at the Ministerial level in Thailand. Ha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizardtongue Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Not only typical but predictable Thai practice ...lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagwan Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Well he does look proud and happy in that picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellodolly Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 (edited) "He will hold the position until his retirement at the end of September next year." One year to retirement after years of loyalty to Thaksin he is moved into a position that allows him to greatly increase his wealth in one year. He should be able to fill at least one closet. Edited October 3, 2012 by hellodolly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickymaster Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 (edited) All about the money. If only the Dems would have the money Thaksin is spending on buying people.... Edited October 4, 2012 by Nickymaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now