Governor of Prachin Buri rescinds appointment of Chinese consultant.
A Hot Potato: The Scrapped Appointment of a Chinese Advisor in Prachin Buri
Small Town, Big Fuss: The Prachin Buri governor's decision to bring on a Chinese advisor has sparked quite a stir, with critics jumping on the bandwagon and questioning the move. This local uproar doesn't sit well with Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who's not on board with this foreign hire.
The Appointment Train: Weerapun Dee-on, the Prachin Buri governor, revealed that the appointment of Zhu Juncheng was intended to help prepare the province's entry into the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) investment area. This zone already covers Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, and Rayong. The Chamber of Commerce in Prachin Buri had suggested Mr. Zhu for his expert knowledge in tackling investments, particularly from Chinese and Taiwanese sources, which are dominant in the region. After a background check, Mr. Zhu received a spotless record and was given the nod. Remarkably, Mr. Weerapun claims there was no prior connection with Zhu.
The Chinese Whispers: Mr. Zhu was set to handle liaising with potential investors. The province is already a prime spot, attracting around 3 trillion baht worth of investment projects. However, his appointment was revealed on Tuesday by CSI LA, a popular investigative Facebook page with 1.3 million followers. The page administrator posed questions about local priorities with a foreign advisor and potential foreign influence on local decision-making.
Anutin's Take: Anutin Charnvirakul wasn't too keen on the idea from the get-go, deeming it inappropriate. He also expressed regret for the worries stirred online. He pointed out that if there was any hidden agenda, the appointment wouldn't have been public in the first place. But for the sake of fairness, Anutin emphasized the importance of appropriateness.
The Final Verdict: In light of the multiplied concerns, the governor ultimately reversed the appointment. Sombat Sittimongkol, Chairman of the Prachin Buri Chamber of Commerce, even stepped down, taking responsibility for the issue.
Behind the Scenes: The controversial appointment of Mr. Zhu underscores the intricate dynamics of foreign investment and influence in Thai provinces. Even though the move has been cancelled, it uncovers the challenges in balancing economic development with public opinion and political sensitivities.
Sources:1. Bangkok Post2. Politico3. Reuters4. Chinese Daily5. Voice of America
- The appointment of Zhu Juncheng, a Chinese advisor, by Prachin Buri's governor had sparked concerns about foreign influence in local policy-and-legislation and decision-making.
- The Chinese advisor, Zhu Juncheng, was intended to manage liaisons with potential investors, given the significant Chinese and Taiwanese investments in the province.
- Despite receiving a clean background check, the appointment of Zhu Juncheng was canceled due to publicoutcry, highlighting the sensitivity and importance of fairness in policy-and-legislation involving foreign investors.
- The reversal of Zhu Juncheng's appointment illustrates the need for thorough consideration of general-news, politics, and public sentiment when it comes to policy-and-legislation and foreign investment in the provinces.
