After attending a meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thaivisin at Phuket International Airport, Governor Narong was joined at Phuket Provincial Hall by leading provincial officials and other government employees along with local community leaders and members of the public to thank him for his service and to wish him the best during his retirement.
Among the bouquets presented to Governor Narong, roses were aplenty, as were garlands to bring him blessings of good fortune.
After receiving a ‘farewell of honour’ as he exited Phuket Provincial Hall, Governor Narong reviewed an assembly of local civil defense volunteers, who he saluted as he walked past, before he and his wife, Ms Boonwandee, paid home to the shrine in front of Provincial Hall, located on the grounds of the Phuket Provincial Administration Center.
Governor Narong and his wife then departed, with officials offering his car a salute as he drove past.
Earlier yesterday at the meeting at the airport, PM Srettha himself specifically thanked Governor Narong for his efforts during his term as Governor of Phuket.
“On behalf of the government, I would like to thank you for the entire period of your employment. The Governor has worked with dedication, dedicated to working for the country. After retirement, may you continue to be happy and live happily,” he said.
MERIT MAKER
Before his last days as Governor of Phuket, Governor Narong on Aug 26 entered a 15-day ordainment as a monk at Wat Pa Phutthaphot Hariphunchai in Lamphun province as a way of making merit.
Bestowed the monk name Phra Nathaplo, he returned to Phuket as a monk on Sept 10 and joined a procession of 15 monks, including Phra Ajahn Ariyawangso, the abbot of Wat Pa Phutthapoj Hariphunchai, to walk the 2.5-kilometre route from in front of Wat Phuttha Mongkol Nimit opposite Soi Rommanee in Old Phuket Town to the Governor’s Residence on the corner of Krabi Rd and Satun Rd in Phuket Town.
Along the route, Governor Narong, as Phra Nathaplo, received alms from people lining the streets as a way of showing respect and making merit to enhance prosperity for themselves and their families.
With his 15-day ordainment complete, Governor Narong returned to formal duties on Sept 15, attending an event in Bangkok to join the heads of local Phuket municipalities and tambon administrative organisations (OrBorTor) in receiving certificate awards for serving as ‘Outstanding agency in using the Traffy Fondue platform to serve the people’.
ALL CHANGE
Governor Narong took up the post of Governor of Phuket in June 2020, after the-then Governor, Phakaphong Tavipatana, was hastily transferred following a slew of heavy criticism from island residents over his handling and implementation of COVID-19 policies.
According to reports in the Thai media online at the time, some people said Governor Phakaphong did too little too late, while others reported that the measures he rolled out were too harsh. Mr Phakaphong was assigned to the post of Governor of Phetchaburi.
Before his posting to Phuket, Governor Narong, a native of Phatthalung, had previously served as Governor of Chaiyaphum province.
Expected to arrive on the island today or tomorrow to take up the post of Governor of Phuket is Sophon Suwannarat, who has just completed a term serving as Governor of Chaiyaphum Province.
Mr Sophon has served as Governor of Chaiyaphum for only one year, taking up the post there on Oct 1 last year.
Before then, Mr Sophon served as an Inspector General at the Ministry of Interior (Dec 15, 2021 - Sep 30, 2022), and before that post he served as Deputy Governor of Loei Province (Oct 1, 2017 - Dec 14, 2021).
His highest academic achievement is graduating with a Higher Diploma in Public Administration and Public Law at King Prajadhipok’s Institute in Bangkok.
At 58 years old, Mr Sophon is not scheduled to officially retire from government service until Oct 1, 2025.