According to the Bangkok Post Thawatchai Arunyik, deputy governor for the domestic market at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), has been chosen as the agency’s new governor. He said.” security are priorities”. He will succeed the current governor, Suraphon Svetasreni, effective 21st. of dec.
The agency’s five-member selection committee unanimously picked Mr Thawatchai over other candidates including Juthaporn Rerngronasa, the TAT’s deputy governor for international marketing in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
Suwat Sidthilaw, the tourism and sports permanent secretary, said the committee picked Mr Thawatchai due to his confidence, leadership, risk management skills and proven ability to work with other tourism-related groups.
Pensuda Praiaram, chairman of the TAT board, said Mr Thawatchai will bring prior knowledge of the corporate culture and organisational workflow to his new role.

Mr Thawatchai, 57, holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the East in Manila.
He has served as TAT director of the Central Region 2 office (1995-2000), director of the TAT London office (2000-03), executive director of the Central region (2006-07), executive director for Europe, Africa and the Middle East (2007-10) and deputy governor for domestic marketing (2010-present).

The TAT governor normally serves a four-year term.

“I will promote Thai tourism and meet the government’s revenue target of 2 trillion baht by 2015,” said Mr Thawatchai.
“To achieve the goal, I will focus on cooperation with other tourism groups, especially on the security issue.”
The TAT and the Tourism and Sports Ministry have discussed tourism security many times, but no serious measures have been carried out.
The new governor also plans to update the TAT website and launch web TV to promote Thai tourist destinations 24/7.
“We have to upgrade both content and website to catch up with market trends,” he said. “The TAT will open an online travel market for small and medium-sized enterprises as a new channel for them to promote themselves and sell their products.”