TAT cancels selection process for new governor
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE TOURISM Authority of Thailand yesterday cancelled its recruitment of a new governor, claiming that all five finalists were unfit for the top job during these difficult times for the industry.

TAT's board of directors held an urgent meeting yesterday and agreed to abandon the selection process.

The appointment of the new governor had been set for the end of this month, when the incumbent, Thawatchai Arunyik, leaves office after serving out his four-year term plus some months as caretaker governor.

Chairman Kalin Sarasin said all five replacement candidates were not qualified enough to run the tourism agency under the current situation of instability and tough environment.

With this decision, all candidates who already passed the first round of the process are automatically out of contention.

However, all finalists can still submit their applications for the top post at the authority and all will be included in the new selection process. TAT's management will soon invite interested persons to try out for the position.

The board will meet on March 25 to prepare for a new round of selection. It would likely appoint one of the deputy governors, probably the most senior one, to take the temporary job of acting governor, Kalin added.

TAT staff this week said they felt unsure about their daily work, as stability and efficiency might be affected if there were no leader with full authority.

They also worried that the country's tourism competitiveness and strength might drop because of poor internal organisation.

Among the five candidates, three - Nalikatibhag Sangsnit, director-general of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration; Sorayut Phettrakul, assistant to the industry minister; and Somrak Kumputch, TAT's deputy governor for administration - were claimed the best choices to become the next chief.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/TAT-cancels-selection-process-for-new-governor-30255905.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-13

Sounds like the applicants have half a brain. What they need is Somchia to go in with his proposal to relocate Hollywood to Isaan, move Wimbledon to Krabi and the Melbourne Cup to Nakhon Nowhere. Tell them that tourists will flock and they will seize the idea with both hands and Somchia will have the job.

Finally TAT made a correct decision. But i fear that if they need a new Governor that can bring the failing European and American tourists back to Thailand, there will NEVER be a new Governor, because it is not going to happen.

Might be better to shut down the whole agency and use money for better causes.

Tourists will return when their home currencies stabilise not when tAt runs an advert

I'll bet there are a lot of ruffled feathers at TAT right now. It took a lot of courage to cancel the selection process and state that none of the finalist candidates were qualified.

What! None of the 5 were qualified to play 'Snakes and Ladders'!

Chairman Kalin Sarasin said all five replacement candidates were not qualified enough to run the tourism agency under the current situation of instability and tough environment.

At long last, the idiots are calling the morons stupid.

When the idiots get around to realising just how dumb they are themselves, things may change for the better.

I am not holding my breath though.

Maybe they should broaden their horizons and actually consider a foreigner for the post. In other words, someone who might be qualified, competent and not corrupt. Won't happen because beloved Thainess means never thinking outside the box. The copy and paste mentality must be preserved.

Time to look over the fence

I thought they were bringing the tour de france here?

Maybe Prayut or one of his generals can temporarily take over. He could deliver on TAT's Vacation on Martial Law promotion.

Their claim that none were qualified enough sounds like a load of crap to me.

The agency is a joke -- so what happened? None of the candidates had a good sense of humor?

This is just one of the 56 state run companies that the rich treat as their own little cash cow. Obviously there is a squabble at the top.

I thought they were bringing the tour de france here?

They did. Did you miss it?

Maybe Prayut or one of his generals can temporarily take over. He could deliver on TAT's Vacation on Martial Law promotion.

Bootcamp for the young and adventurous. Now that's a good idea, rickirs.

Might be the first time TAT told the truth