New Chonburi Governor implements government policy

Current Chonburi Governor Senee Chittakasem, age 55, was born on February 20, 1954 at Panas Nikom District; in Chonburi Province has an excellent resume. He graduated from Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, and attained a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Management. He also attended the School of Administration Class 28.

He was appointed as Chief of District (Ni Ampur) in many districts in different provinces such as Leoi, Ubon Ratchathani, and Chiang Mai. He was later appointed as Director of Public Activity Division in the Department of Provincial Administration, and Director of Internal Security Affairs under the same Department.

His first appointment as governor was in Surin Province in 2001, Ubon Ratchathani Province Governor in 2006, and Sri Saket Province Governor in 2007. He has received many honorary awards from the government including the “Official with the Most Potential for the Year 1983”, and was in charge during the Preach Vihear temple disputes with favorable results.

Chonburi Governor Senee Chittakasem recently announced his plan to implement strategic policies in order to ensure productive management of both regional and local levels and that they flow in the same direction. He also stressed that annual fiscal budget estimate must be completed by August which will enable the government to accomplish its goals in a timely manner.

At Pattaya City Hall, Chonburi Governor Senee Chittakasem held a meeting with the Entire provincial administration to announce and brainstorm implementation of his policies after his discussions in Chonburi with Chairman of the Chonburi provincial Council Wittaya Kunplome. In attendance were representative from the thirteen districts of Chonburi (one of which is Banglamung where Pattaya City is located), heads of agencies under the Ministry of Interior and representatives of Pattaya City Administrative council.

Governor Chittakasem said in Pattaya, “Government is divided and operated on three administration levels, namely, the central government administration, the regional government administration and the local government administration. All three levels of administrations must correlate and as a result the government will be efficient as a whole.”

He added, “However, the central government administration is very significant because it is the level that is the closet to the national government that directs the administration management and decentralizes the authorization from that government. The public can directly express their opinions about the administration to the head of local administration because they have rights to elect their own representatives.”

The Governor also expressed praise for the clarity of the Chonburi Administration I ways foreign countries implement their decentralization. That way, the government administration is most likely to function effectively, he said.

Governor Chittakasem added that the decentralization policy must be transparent. Government officials in the area, proper fiscal estimates, regulations, and ministerial regulations must all be in place. He also said he believed that with those local government administrations would successfully achieve their goals.

The Chonburi Governor emphasized that the purpose of the policy implementation meeting in Pattaya is to establish the common direction for all administration levels. As a result, the strategic management of Chonburi Province will be beneficial to the public on all levels. He also asked all representatives to complete their annual fiscal estimate by the end of August so that it is well spent by all parties.

Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome along with various Pattaya Council members attended the meeting to officially acknowledge and carry out the provincial administration implementation policy. Mayor Kunplome also reported the view of the current Pattaya administration.

He stated the relevant details of Pattaya as tourist destination.

Former Governor Suraphol Pongtadsirikul was transferred from Chonburi after he was in office for only eight months because despite being repeatedly stressed by the National Security, he was unable to control the red-shirt debacle during the 14th ASEAN Summit in Pattaya, which put the Thai prime minister’s life in danger. Someone had to take responsibility and the former governor was man enough to gracefully except the decision to replace him.

Consequently, new Chonburi Governor Senee Chittakasem has replaced former Chonburi Governor Suraphol Pongtadsirikul, effective as of May 18, after the latter was transferred to Chachoeng Sao Province.

The Ministry of Interior approved the transfer of three high ranked administrators (Provincial Governor) in May. The first is former Chachoeng Sao Governor Veeravit Vivattanvanich who has been transferred to govern Nan Province. The second is former Chonburi’s Governor Suraphol Pongtadsirikul has been transferred to govern Chachoeng Sao Province. The third is Srisaket Governor Senee Chittakasem who has been transferred to Chonburi as their new governor.