PHUKET: The 449 million baht annual budget for Patong was rejected by the local council today in a demonstration that change has yet to be fully absorbed by Phuket's west coast holiday hub.
Former Democrat MP Chalermlak Kebsub was elected mayor in an April rerun poll ordered by the Electoral Commission.
She beat Pian Keesin, the longtime mayor, and two of her ''change Patong'' candidates were also elected.
After discrepancies in an election earlier in the year, Mayor Pian and two councillors were yellow-carded and forced to stand again.
Khun Chalermlak put her hand up on a platform of change for the rerun election, and succeeded.
But most of Khun Pian's supporters remain on the council, with the result that only Mayor Chalermlak's two supporters voted for the passage of the annual budget.
And that was all the support she could muster. On the 18-person council, two councillors chose to abstain from voting.*
There should be no impediment to the budget being in place on time to pay salaries from October, however it will now have to go to Governor Maitree Intrusud for approval.
Khun Chalermlak could not have anticipated when she was elected that within weeks, the Army would take charge in Thailand and the Phuket ball game would change so greatly.
Like the island's other elected mayors, she is now implementing a program of change that has long been advocated by many, but does not come through the ballot box.
*An earlier version erroneously stated that there were 10 abstentions.
Former Democrat MP Chalermlak Kebsub was elected mayor in an April rerun poll ordered by the Electoral Commission.
She beat Pian Keesin, the longtime mayor, and two of her ''change Patong'' candidates were also elected.
After discrepancies in an election earlier in the year, Mayor Pian and two councillors were yellow-carded and forced to stand again.
Khun Chalermlak put her hand up on a platform of change for the rerun election, and succeeded.
But most of Khun Pian's supporters remain on the council, with the result that only Mayor Chalermlak's two supporters voted for the passage of the annual budget.
And that was all the support she could muster. On the 18-person council, two councillors chose to abstain from voting.*
There should be no impediment to the budget being in place on time to pay salaries from October, however it will now have to go to Governor Maitree Intrusud for approval.
Khun Chalermlak could not have anticipated when she was elected that within weeks, the Army would take charge in Thailand and the Phuket ball game would change so greatly.
Like the island's other elected mayors, she is now implementing a program of change that has long been advocated by many, but does not come through the ballot box.
*An earlier version erroneously stated that there were 10 abstentions.
Spoilt little men behaving like children - it will be great when the army comes in and sorts out Patong. Sore losers should accept the will of the people. I hope K Chalermlak sticks to her guns in the face of these immature bullies.
Posted by Mister Ree on August 4, 2014 17:55