Thai Health Min Rajata urged to give up at least one of his positions

[webfact]

PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER
Rajata urged to give up at least one of his positions
CHULEEPORN ARAMNET
THE NATION



Minister warned holding both Mahidol presidency 'a conflict of interest'

BANGKOK: -- BY COVERING HIS face with a metal box, a Mahidol University (MU) dean sent a loud message to Rajata Rajatanavin yesterday - that he must choose whether to be the university's president or the new public health minister, not both.

Rajata, a professor and a medical doctor, has been at the helm of MU for several years, and has just taken on his new job as health minister.

Associate Professor Sugree Charoensook, dean of the MU College of Music, yesterday expressed opposition to Rajata's decision to hold two jobs simultaneously - Mahidol University rector and president and public health minister.

At a press conference, Sugree called on Rajata to step down as university president, saying that holding both positions would be a conflict of interest and that a teacher should know this.

'Both full-time jobs'

"He'd better quit if he still has any common sense or responsibility. A university rector's job is a full-time position, and I believe the Public Health Ministry also requires a minister to work full-time," Sugree said.

He staged a peaceful protest by wearing a metal box with a transparent visor on his head while making his way to a deans' meeting at the president's office yesterday morning.

Other lecturers, led by Associate Professor Dr Kritaya Archavanitkul from Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research and Dr Pratubjit Neelapaijit from the Institute and Human Rights and Peace Studies, also called on Rajata to consider giving up one of the positions.

Kitikorn Charmondusit, who teaches at MU's faculty of environment and resource studies, said the university council also agreed that Rajata should not hold both positions at the same time as he would not be able to give either job his full attention.

"Rajata must choose one of the two positions and this committee, backed by other panels, will continue requesting this until he makes the right decision," Kitikorn said.

He also called on the university council to include this issue on the agenda at its next meeting on September 17 and review Rajata's position.

A public forum may be organised to raise awareness among students on the issue, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Rajata-urged-to-give-up-at-least-one-of-his-positi-30243000.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-11

[Somtamnication]

Note to self.......... when disagreeing with my wife, wear a square box on my big fat head.......

[ChrisY1]

Greed at all levels!

[Suriya4]

He has the ability of multi tasking. Allows him to do 2 jobs and gets double income.

[KhnomKhnom]

"Someone" probably in the MU head job was personally notified years ago of a MU prof selling grades. "Somebody" handed the problem off to lower level folks. No investigation; no remedial action.

The truth does not always make you free; sometimes it just means ducking effectively.

[EricBerg]

As the press doesn't function well in raising questions like these, the public must do it. This issue of two fulltime jobs for one person and the price of the microphones are examples of it. The mikes come cheaper now and Rajata will give up one of his jobs or be kicked out of both. This wouldn't have happened under the previous government.

But the individual(s) responsible for the way too high price of the mikes should be sanctioned too. Kicked out, or, if a bribe is proven, put in prison. If not, it may very soon turn out to be SSDG, same sh*t, different government. Thailand and Prayuth deserve better.

[billd766]

As the press doesn't function well in raising questions like these, the public must do it. This issue of two fulltime jobs for one person and the price of the microphones are examples of it. The mikes come cheaper now and Rajata will give up one of his jobs or be kicked out of both.

But the individual(s) responsible for the way too high price of the mikes should be sanctioned too. Kicked out, or, if a bribe is proven, put in prison. If not, it may very soon turn out to be SSDG, same sh*t, different government. Thailand and Prayuth deserve better.

So much for "This wouldn't have happened under the previous government."

Under the previous government the PM, Yingluck also appointed herself as Minister of Defence, a job she knew less about, if that were possible, than being a politician and PM of Thailand. Thus holding 2 jobs.

Under a PPP government led by Samak he was PM and also a presenter on a cooking show.

Don't you EVER do any research before posting?

[zydeco]

Rajata, a professor and a medical doctor, has been at the helm of MU for several years, and has just taken on his new job as health minister.

FYI "several years" = two years.

[EricBerg]

As the press doesn't function well in raising questions like these, the public must do it. This issue of two fulltime jobs for one person and the price of the microphones are examples of it. The mikes come cheaper now and Rajata will give up one of his jobs or be kicked out of both.

But the individual(s) responsible for the way too high price of the mikes should be sanctioned too. Kicked out, or, if a bribe is proven, put in prison. If not, it may very soon turn out to be SSDG, same sh*t, different government. Thailand and Prayuth deserve better.

So much for "This wouldn't have happened under the previous government."

Under the previous government the PM, Yingluck also appointed herself as Minister of Defence, a job she knew less about, if that were possible, than being a politician and PM of Thailand. Thus holding 2 jobs.

Under a PPP government led by Samak he was PM and also a presenter on a cooking show.

Don't you EVER do any research before posting?

That's why I typed ssdg = same shit different government... holding two fulltime jobs and pay way too much for clocks or microphones. IF not being punished. And that we will see soon perhaps. So do read before you start crying.

[FWIW]

EricBerg, on 11 Sept 2014 - 23:43, said:

billd766, on 11 Sept 2014 - 13:24, said:

EricBerg, on 11 Sept 2014 - 10:45, said:

As the press doesn't function well in raising questions like these, the public must do it. This issue of two fulltime jobs for one person and the price of the microphones are examples of it. The mikes come cheaper now and Rajata will give up one of his jobs or be kicked out of both.

But the individual(s) responsible for the way too high price of the mikes should be sanctioned too. Kicked out, or, if a bribe is proven, put in prison. If not, it may very soon turn out to be SSDG, same sh*t, different government. Thailand and Prayuth deserve better.

So much for "This wouldn't have happened under the previous government."

Under the previous government the PM, Yingluck also appointed herself as Minister of Defence, a job she knew less about, if that were possible, than being a politician and PM of Thailand. Thus holding 2 jobs.

Under a PPP government led by Samak he was PM and also a presenter on a cooking show.

Don't you EVER do any research before posting?

That's why I typed ssdg = same shit different government... holding two fulltime jobs and pay way too much for clocks or microphones. IF not being punished. And that we will see soon perhaps. So do read before you start crying.

You can rest assured on the pay issue. It is a University. Secondment to other positions, either full time or part time is an established process in this, and most other Universities - here and abroad. Mahidol will be re-imbursed for the percentage of his time that he is at his second position. That is already in the regulations.

And anyone who thinks the Dean of the College of Music is purely motivated by "altruistic" or "ethical" concerns knows nothing of Thailand. Internal politics in Mahidol is a cut throat as politics anywhere. This is a tool for specific objectives. Nothing more, nothing less.