Known as a mild-mannered, soft-spoken manager given to building consensus rather than giving orders (in contrast with his rather more blunt predecessors) Gov Tri is one of two governors of the island to have come “from the ranks” in recent years, having been vice-governor for four years before his promotion.
The other was Niran Kalayanimit, who served as vice-governor for four years and then as governor for another two.
Normally, provincial governors – as with other senior provincial officials – serve for four years before being transferred to a more important province or being promoted to a senior job in the Interior Ministry in Bangkok. Some go into politics.
However, Phuket – as one of the richest provinces in the country – has tended to be used as a proving ground for bureaucrats backed by various powerful forces in politics.
As a result, in the past 15 years, Phuket has had eight governors, none of whom has stayed for more than three years. On average they have been here for 22.5 months. They were:
-
Chadej Insawang: Oct 1997 to Oct 1999. Transferred to Kanchanaburi.
-
Charnchai Soontaramut: Oct 1999 to Oct 2000. Transferred to Surat Thani.
-
Pongpayome Vasaputi: Oct 2000 to Oct 2003. Promoted to Director-General of the Department of Local Administration.
-
Udomsak Usawarangkul: Oct 2003 to Oct 2006. Retired.
-
Niran Kalayanimit: Oct 2006 to Oct 2008. Promoted to Deputy Director General at the Interior Ministry’s Department of Provincial Administration.
-
Dr Preecha Ruangjan: Oct 2008 to Mar 2009. Transferred abruptly to Phitsanuloke.
-
Wichai Phraisa’ngop: Mar 2009 to Oct 2010. Retired.
-
Tri Augkaradacha: Oct 2010 to Oct 2012. Retired.