Kalin Sarasin (back row, fifth from right), chairman of the Board of TAT and Yuthasak Supasorn (back row, fifth from left) at the recent contract signing ceremony to officially appoint Yuthasak as the new TAT governor. Credit: Tourism Authority of Thailand
THE Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) board of directors has appointed Yuthasak Supasorn as the new governor starting September 1, replacing Thawatchai Arunyik who completed his term at the end of March 2015.
Yuthasak’s appointment also marks the first time a candidate from outside the TAT has been selected for the top post since the agency’s establishment 55 years ago.
Yuthasak, 49 was formerly the executive vice president and CFO of Thailand’s state-owned broadcaster MCOT. He was previously the director general of the Office of SME Promotion and president of the National Food Institute. An economist by training, he graduated from Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University and Japan’s Keio University.
The new TAT chief has announced in a press statement plans to immediately introduce three strategies upon taking office, including reassuring global confidence and stimulating domestic tourism in the wake of the recent bombing, as well as creating a better TAT.
To maintain global confidence, Yuthasak reiterates that TAT’s domestic and overseas offices are providing regular updates on the ‘business-as-usual’ situation in Thailand. In December, TAT will organise a major event to draw tourists.
Promoting year-round domestic tourism, especially for students and senior citizens, will also be a top priority for the incoming governor.
Yuthasak added that he plans to build upon TAT’s strong foundation, to improve cooperation among government agencies, private sector and partners abroad, and to streamline internal procedures to upgrade the operational efficiency of the TAT.
