Pratchaya Kerdthong
Pattaya officials are considering sweeping changes to
the city’s structure and taxation laws in order to streamline governance
and raise revenues.
Researchers from Thammasart University are aiding the
city in reviewing its current administrative structure and regulatory
process, with university and city officials reviewing progress at an
April 12 public hearing.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said the idea for the city
review came from similar experiments in Koh Samui and Mae Sod, where an
overhaul of law and regulation making resulted in increased economic and
tourism development.
The Thammasart study is looking at three areas: the
structure of the Pattaya City Council, the city bureaucracy responsible
for such things as the environment, traffic and beach management; and
tax and budget systems.
University President Somkid Lertpaithun noted that
Pattaya had collected taxes and split tax revenue with the Chonburi
Administrative Organization, but now sends all funds to the national
government to reapportion. He said the study will look at returning to
previous systems or developing new ways to collect taxes and raise
revenues.
The city also faces challenges in promulgating and
enforcing regulations related to beach vendors, coastal erosion and
private-sector co-investment in city projects.
About 200 people attended the hearing, with many
offering suggestions on ways to change the current system. One
suggestion, from Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon, would have a
board of administrators take over some of the duties of the mayor’s
office to manage the bureaucracy.
Further hearings will be held before the final report
is prepared and considered.
