Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has appointed Sonthaya Khunpluem as Pattaya mayor to facilitate the government’s Eastern Economic Corridor push.
The order, issued using the power granted him as chief of the National Council for Peace and Order, was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday, effective on the same day.
It cited as a reason the need have a mayor and management team “with high potential, experiences, knowledge and capabilities” to support the government’s EEC policy while the law on Pattaya administration and mayor election is being amended to ensure constitutionality.
The change would also benefit local administration reform, the order said.
Mr Sonthaya, leader of Chon Buri-based Phalang Chon Party, can name up to four deputy mayors until a mayor election can be held or the NCPO issues a new order.
After the military coup, the NCPO appointed Pol Maj Gen Anan Charoenchasri as the mayor in February last year. The last elected Pattaya mayor was Ittipon Khunpluem, who won two consecutive four-year terms to June 2016. Mr Ittipon is Mr Sonthaya’s younger brother.
Both Mr Sonthaya and Mr Ittipon now work in the Prayut cabinet.