(L to R) Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat and his 4 deputies, Watana Chantanawaranon, Niran Watanasatsathorn, Wutisak Rermkijakarn and Wirawat Khakhai.

Pattaya’s newly elected city council met for the first time on Tuesday morning, February 22, 2000. The meeting was a historic one, as Pattaya became the first municipality in the Kingdom to convene a locally elected government under the rules of the new constitution. Pattaya is once again breaking new ground, setting a precedent for the rest of the nation to follow.

Chonburi Governor Sujarit Pachimnan presided over the historic opening at Pattaya City Hall. As advisor to Pattaya’s city administration, he announced the future direction for the recently elected mayor, the 24 city council members, and the mayor’s four selected deputies.

Governor Sujarit instructed the assembly to, “consolidate (their) efforts in developing Pattaya, especially in the areas of sanitation, beautification and organization, which are the core areas of concern to Pattaya.