Govt gives its arch-enemy a new position

One of the biggest surprises among the names approved by the Cabinet for a pending reshuffle at government agencies was that of Damrong Phidet as a vice minister.
It was not that long ago that Damrong, who was previously chief of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, had a huge row with the current government. He even set up his own political party last year.
Yet the Secretariat of the Prime Minister proposed Damrong’s appointment as a vice minister, and the Cabinet approved it. His tenure will kick off as soon as the prime minister names the ministry he will be assigned to.
“A Pheu Thai Party executive invited me to take this post so I can help with forestry/wildlife work,” Damrong said yesterday, adding that he had accepted the offer because his new job would be in line with the principles of his party.
“If I am assigned to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, I will continue cracking down on resorts that have encroached on national parks,” he said.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang said his nominees for the posts of secretaries-general of the Office of the Higher Education Commission (Ohec) and the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec), as well as the new permanent secretary for Education, had already won Cabinet approval.
The new Ohec chief will be Thosaporn Sirisumphand, who is now serving as the secretary-general of the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, while the incumbent Ohec chief, Apichart Jeerawuth, will take over the helm of Obec.
Suthasri Wongsamarn, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Education Council, will become the new permanent secretary of the Education Ministry. Suthasri is an old friend of the minister dating back to their days at Chiang Mai University.
“Their appointments will go into effect from October 1,” Chaturon said. He added his nominations were based on each person’s ability to produce great work together.
Separately, the Cabinet yesterday approved the appointment of Pathum Thani Governor Siripong Hantragul as the new director-general of the Provincial Administration Depart-ment, and Lamphun Governor Pinij Harnpanich as the new director-general of the Lands Department.
The Cabinet also approved the appointment of Ampon Kittiampon as chairman of the Bank of Thailand.