New City Manager Songsak Yomjinda
(right) talks over his new duties with Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat (left)
and Somchai Khunpluem (Kamnan Poh) (centre).
The Pattaya City Council, by a vote of 9 to 4 on October 1,
elected Songsak Yomjinda to take over as the new City Manager. Songsak once held
the position, which became vacant on September 1 when Manit Thaklhaiklang
resigned. Prida Vairojaphan, Director of Public Health and the Environment, has
been the interim officer.
Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat nominated Songsak with two others, Dr.
Vachira Plengplang and Mr. Pramote Deelert. By law, the position of City Manager
must not be vacant for more than 60 days, and with the vote on October 1, the
City Council filled the position well within the legal guidelines.
After considering each candidates abilities and experience, the City Council
chose a former City Manager to take up the post again. One of the reasons given
for Songsak’s placement was that Songsak is a Pattaya local and knows well the
problems facing the city. The council also felt that he would have a keener
knowledge of Pattaya’s residents’ needs.
Songsak Yomjinda, 44, graduated with a Master’s Degree in International
Relations from the University of Tarleton State, Texas. He is married to Mrs.
Yuri Yomjinda (nee Kanjanaprakard). They have two children.
Mr. Songsak has administrate experience both in Thailand and abroad, and was
formerly City Manager for two terms. During that time both the public and the
city council found him to be reliable in the dispensing of his duties.
