Communities want district chief axed

Twenty communities in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district yesterday called for the removal of the district chief, accusing him of mishandling their proposals for grants under the Thai Niyom Yangyuen programme.

Their representatives yesterday staged a protest outside City Hall before submitting the petition calling for the removal of Pinit Arayasilpa-thon to Bangkok governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang via the city clerk.

Led by Somsak Sakolvaree, the representatives said Suan Luang district chief Mr Pinit was unfit to work with local residents due to the way in which he reviewed the proposals.

According to Mr Somsak, 40 communities came up with 60 project proposals under a budget of 200,000 baht per each. The projects ranged from vocational training to the maintenance of public infrastructure.

However, Mr Pinit refused to approve any infrastructure projects without reason until he was confronted, Mr Somsak said. The district chief later said there was incomplete paperwork or the projects were too complex, he added.

When he received word that a complaint would be lodged with City Hall, district office workers contacted them to inform them that all the projects were approved.

“We want him out. After what has happened, we don’t think he can work with our communities,” he said.

Mr Pinit said infrastructure projects needed more scrutiny and denied the district office dismissed them out of hand.