HERE'S Phuket's next governor, Governor Nisit Jansomwong,from Ratchaburi. It's the second time straight that governors have been appointed from off Phuket. Ratchaburi is a central province 80 kilometres west of Bangkok. It borders Burma to the west. He's likely to arrive within two weeks.


PHUKET: Governor Maitree Intrusud is moving on from Phuket to a top-level job in the Interior Ministry.

His appointment as Deputy Permanent Secretary of the department was being reported today. It's not known yet who will replace him in the holiday island's key administrative role.

Governor Maitree arrived on Phuket on October 8, 2012, with his wife, Pawinee, and a promise to rid the holiday island of rip-offs. It was the governor's 57th birthday.

He leaves Phuket older and wiser, with the island probably in better shape than it has been for many years.

The takeover by the military on May 22 added massive impetus to the quest for reform throughout Thailand.

Phuket has been a focus of fresh attention. With Governor Maitree so highly placed in Interior, it's likely that he will be the go-to man on Phuket-related issues for the new Tourism and Sport Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.

She is believed to have been formulating her policy yesterday and today.

Governor Maitree's replacement is not known. But it will not be Vice Governor Sommai Preechasin, who has announced her retirement - and her candidature for the role of Phuket's representative in the interim ''people's parliament,'' the National Legislative Assembly.

Phuket's first female vice governor, she sat alongside Governor Maitree at yesterday's meeting with Phuket's honorary consuls.

She said goodbye to a round of sincere applause. At the time, the governor's impending departure was not known.

Phuket's other Vice Governors, Jamleran Tipayapongtadav and Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak, both have a lot of experience in dealing with the island's issues and are worthy candidates for the top job.