Farewell, Phuripat: End of an era for Phuket’s marine industry?
Tanyaluk Sakoot

Phuket Marine Chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut left the island today following a special order transfer to Nonthaburi.

PHUKET: -- The departure of Phuripat Theerakulpisut from the island today closed a chapter lasting more than a decade of one man at the helm of officialdom’s top player in Phuket’s burgeoning marine industry.

Mr Phuripat left Phuket after meeting with media at 10am before sharing lunch farewell together with his media colleagues.

Mr Phuripat first arrived in Phuket in 2004 took up the post of Phuket Marine Chief under the name Surin Theerakulpisut. He stayed until 2007, when he was transferred to the post of Marine Chief in Chumphon province, on the Gulf of Thailand.

He returned to Phuket as Phuket Marine Chief in 2010, this time with his new given name, Phuripat, and last year was promoted to “Acting Director Marine Office 5”, a position he held concurrently while still serving as Phuket Marine Chief, until yesterday.

Mr Phuripat confirmed to The Phuket News that his transfer was a “special order”, falling outside the usual annual nationwide government promotions and transfers announced and effective each October.

“I received the order on February 15 to move to be Director of Marine Office 2 in Nonthaburi. My responsibility will cover Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces. I will start work there on Monday (Feb 29), Mr Phuripat confirmed, but declined to give any reason for the order

Mr Phuripat said he welcomed the move and expected no serious challenges in his new post.

“I am glad to go. I can do everything needed to be done there, as marine operations there are not too different from the management required in Phuket,” he said.

Full Story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/farewell-phuripat-end-of-an-era-for-phuket-marine-industry-56388.php

-- Phuket News 2016-02-26

Bye bye and don't come back. You already made your huge retirement fund ..

How many unsuspecting tourists had their holidays ruined on Phuket, and their credit cards maxed out, to pay for fake jet-ski damage, and this guy profited for 10 years from it, with impunity.

The fact he is not in gaol is a disgrace.

"I am glad to go. I can do everything needed to be done there, as marine operations there are not too different from the management required in Phuket, he said.

Not as glad as the rest of us. He can become a problem for another province. Bye bye, bon voyage, shut the gate on the way out.

I dare say he may one day be returned by force to deal with a few skeltons left behind in the closet.

I wonder if the jet ski scam will change in Phuket? It seems too firmly entrenched to actually be eradicated, and a major industry, to boot.

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss. Sooner or later.

Good riddance to the main proponent and guardian of the unscrupulous jet ski industry that has ripped off, killed, maimed our tourists. Hope we get someone with balls to deal with the scum. Have fun in Pathum Thani, lots of marine activities to supervise there (NOT !)

To send a Marine Chief to be in charge of two landlocked provinces must be the equivalent of a move to an inactive post!

To send a Marine Chief to be in charge of two landlocked provinces must be the equivalent of a move to an inactive post!

And that's where he belongs.

“I am glad to go. I can do everything needed to be done there, as marine operations there are not too different from the management required in Phuket,” he said.

Yes , do nothing useful there as well.

I think your backhanders are over but ...

He was clueless with anything to do Marine Operations.

To send a Marine Chief to be in charge of two landlocked provinces must be the equivalent of a move to an inactive post!

Correct, he gets paid to do nothing, but probably doesn't have access to the real earners.

Moved to two land locked provinces. We call that Gardening Leave in the UK.

To send a Marine Chief to be in charge of two landlocked provinces must be the equivalent of a move to an inactive post!

I wonder if he is planning to have jet ski's on the Chao Phraya river ?

Jail for corruption would be a proper outcome but I guess he is too well connected and

too much to hope for.