AIT rector's work permit lapses amid police probe

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Though his work permit has not been renewed, former Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) rector, Said Irandoust, can still live in Thailand, the Foreign Ministry's deputy permanent secretary Nopadol Gunavibool said yesterday.

Nopadol is also chairman of AIT's Board of Trustees.

He said non-renewal of the work permit was linked to problems Irandoust had with AIT staff, who have accused him of non-transparent methods of administration.

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However, he said, the final decision on whether to issue or renew work permits for expatriates rested solely on the police immigration division.

"As to whether Irandoust's visa will be extended or not depends on an ongoing investigation [into his alleged mismanagement at AIT]," Nopadol said.

But Phawat Traiphatthanakul, a member of AIT's alumni group, said he personally believed that non-renewal of Irandoust's |work permit had something to do with the Board of Trustees' |decision to temporarily suspend his role and it happened that |his work permit expired on February 1.

He also dismissed Irandoust's claim that he had voluntarily decided to temporarily step down, and questioned why the former rector had decided to appoint three assistant rectors to work on his behalf.

Phawat also expressed worry about the employment status of other foreign lecturers and staffers at AIT, and wondered if they would be affected by the non-renewal of Irandoust's work permit.

-- The Nation 2013-02-05

Imagine some stinky foreigner wanted to actually offer real education, we can not have that. Throw him out!

I thought work permits were issued by the Ministry of Labour but according to Noppadol it is the Immigration Department, so which one is it Mr. Deputy Foreign Minister?

Pathetic......Anyone who tries to help or find better ways gets shafted!!

Interesting take on how a work permit is granted.

If the organisation won't sponsor it, how does it get done?

Isn't working without a WP a Criminal offense? Seems he is still telling people what to do, so in theory working.

Edited February 5, 201313 yr by beano2274

Interesting take on how a work permit is granted.

If the organisation won't sponsor it, how does it get done?

Some politician tells the staff to issue a wp. They issue the wp.

What is the question?

Or do you really think someone cares about regulations and laws in Thailand?

yes ASEAN 2015... thailand is ready ? to kick every expat out ?

The unfortunate part of the story is that the work permit renewal is being used as a weapon in what should be an internal AIT dispute. If this guy bungled the management, get rid of him using the proper channels like anyone else; don't use the work permit system as a back door to get rid of any farang you don't like.

If this is the way things work, how many of us could find our own permits pulled by a disgruntled colleague using such a back door approach?

Too bad there are no inactive posts for farrangs!

Another problem with a fair-haired son and the Keystone Cops. Oh, the humanity! His work permit? Oh dear.

Really now... who seriously gives a hoot? Next they'll be writing sensationalized articles about what they did in the water closet, and which brand of tissue they use to wipe their pristine perfect winky.

On a humorous note, using the words rector and probe in the same headline is not helping the cause any.

Edited February 5, 201313 yr by cup-O-coffee

Interesting take on how a work permit is granted.

If the organisation won't sponsor it, how does it get done?

Good point

I suspect another poorly researched item for the Nation. What really happened.

I might be wrong but as I read the article AIT does not want him but they are backing up his application for a work permit. Is this the same company Yingluck held such a high meaningless position in?

Imagine some stinky foreigner wanted to actually offer real education, we can not have that. Throw him out!

Gee, a discussion of things related to "higher education" certainly brings out the petty, petulant and especially the puerile best at TV.

Imagine Thai people thinking they can run their affairs as they choose.

The Expat = Expert Syndrome appears to be an extension of the White Man's Burden philosophy that worked so well before.

Presumably some of those foaming at the mouth in this thread have some personal agenda that's proving to be on increasingly shaky ground, causing them to lash out in a quasi-racist frenzy?

Edited February 5, 201313 yr by Suradit69

Interesting take on how a work permit is granted.

If the organisation won't sponsor it, how does it get done?

Good point

I suspect another poorly researched item for the Nation. What really happened.

I might be wrong but as I read the article AIT does not want him but they are backing up his application for a work permit. Is this the same company Yingluck held such a high meaningless position in?

Y hold a position at a company that is education related?

What has she done there?

Another problem with a fair-haired son and the Keystone Cops. Oh, the humanity! His work permit? Oh dear.

Really now... who seriously gives a hoot? Next they'll be writing sensationalized articles about what they did in the water closet, and which brand of tissue they use to wipe their pristine perfect winky.

On a humorous note, using the words rector and probe in the same headline is not helping the cause any.

What is the humourous connection between Rector and probe?

If there is a hold up in paperwork, that is simply that the Mr Said did not do it himself or follow the really simple instructions. Anyone can get a work permit with ease and for someone in his position, even easier, but not if he relies on his 'administration' to handle it.

The unfortunate part of the story is that the work permit renewal is being used as a weapon in what should be an internal AIT dispute. If this guy bungled the management, get rid of him using the proper channels like anyone else; don't use the work permit system as a back door to get rid of any farang you don't like.

If this is the way things work, how many of us could find our own permits pulled by a disgruntled colleague using such a back door approach?

I do not understand why, with alll the hoops, frustration, corruption and sheer stupidity, any foreigner would bother to work here. Thai authorities clearly do not want you to so why try?

Imagine some stinky foreigner wanted to actually offer real education, we can not have that. Throw him out!

Gee, a discussion of things related to "higher education" certainly brings out the petty, petulant and especially the puerile best at TV.

Imagine Thai people thinking they can run their affairs as they choose.

The Expat = Expert Syndrome appears to be an extension of the White Man's Burden philosophy that worked so well before.

Presumably some of those foaming at the mouth in this thread have some personal agenda that's proving to be on increasingly shaky ground, causing them to lash out in a quasi-racist frenzy?

Well Thai education system results speaks for itself, are you trying to deny it?

Foreign education system also speaks for itself, are you also trying to deny it?

IF you are, perhaps you can explain why all the top surgeons in Thailand are foreign educated or part there of, including the PM of Thailand

If there is a hold up in paperwork, that is simply that the Mr Said did not do it himself or follow the really simple instructions. Anyone can get a work permit with ease and for someone in his position, even easier, but not if he relies on his 'administration' to handle it.

It sounds more like Noppadol or someone else has played the Thai card against him but calling on his contacts to get the WP denied. That gets him out of the way, so they can do whatever they want. No doubt there was so syphoning off of fees or government grants going on and they are trying to protect illegal income.

Interesting take on how a work permit is granted.

If the organisation won't sponsor it, how does it get done?

Good point

I suspect another poorly researched item for the Nation. What really happened.

I might be wrong but as I read the article AIT does not want him but they are backing up his application for a work permit. Is this the same company Yingluck held such a high meaningless position in?

Relax dear, AIT is a university

Imagine some stinky foreigner wanted to actually offer real education, we can not have that. Throw him out!

Gee, a discussion of things related to "higher education" certainly brings out the petty, petulant and especially the puerile best at TV.

Imagine Thai people thinking they can run their affairs as they choose.

The Expat = Expert Syndrome appears to be an extension of the White Man's Burden philosophy that worked so well before.

Presumably some of those foaming at the mouth in this thread have some personal agenda that's proving to be on increasingly shaky ground, causing them to lash out in a quasi-racist frenzy?

Well Thai education system results speaks for itself, are you trying to deny it?

Foreign education system also speaks for itself, are you also trying to deny it?

IF you are, perhaps you can explain why all the top surgeons in Thailand are foreign educated or part there of, including the PM of Thailand

Yes both PMs.

Imagine some stinky foreigner wanted to actually offer real education, we can not have that. Throw him out!

Gee, a discussion of things related to "higher education" certainly brings out the petty, petulant and especially the puerile best at TV.

Imagine Thai people thinking they can run their affairs as they choose.

The Expat = Expert Syndrome appears to be an extension of the White Man's Burden philosophy that worked so well before.

Presumably some of those foaming at the mouth in this thread have some personal agenda that's proving to be on increasingly shaky ground, causing them to lash out in a quasi-racist frenzy?

AIT needs to move forward, says Professor Irandoust

“AIT needs to move forward, I have done my duty and I need to see to it that AIT’s future is transitioned transparently to competent hands, through direction of its governing body,” is the message of the President of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Prof. Said Irandoust in an interview with Bangkok Business Brief.

Professor Said Irandoust, President of Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), has never been one to run away from challenges. Embroiled in the fight of his career due to a natural disaster and soon followed by the political and governance turmoil AIT has suffered over the past year, he says this is not the time you will see him turn away from a challenge.

In view of his mandate ending in July 2013 and his legacy for the future, in an unprecedented, open and in-depth interview with Professor Irandoust, the man discusses his life, his passions and all the issues facing the institute that he heads here in Thailand. Over two hours the President explained everything from the conspiracy theories, attacks and present status of AIT. What happened – and why.

The interview by Natalie Scarr can be read at this link:

http://www.bangkokbu.../#ixzz2I0IhZK2H

.

Edited February 5, 201313 yr by Buchholz

Too bad there are no inactive posts for farrangs!

I thought that's what I had. My excuse is I haven't got a work permit so I can't do anything.

AIT needs to move forward, says Professor Irandoust

“AIT needs to move forward, I have done my duty and I need to see to it that AIT’s future is transitioned transparently to competent hands, through direction of its governing body,” is the message of the President of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Prof. Said Irandoust in an interview with Bangkok Business Brief.

Professor Said Irandoust, President of Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), has never been one to run away from challenges. Embroiled in the fight of his career due to a natural disaster and soon followed by the political and governance turmoil AIT has suffered over the past year, he says this is not the time you will see him turn away from a challenge.

In view of his mandate ending in July 2013 and his legacy for the future, in an unprecedented, open and in-depth interview with Professor Irandoust, the man discusses his life, his passions and all the issues facing the institute that he heads here in Thailand. Over two hours the President explained everything from the conspiracy theories, attacks and present status of AIT. What happened – and why.

The interview by Natalie Scarr can be read at this link:

http://www.bangkokbu.../#ixzz2I0IhZK2H

.

Very telling interview....