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Rachane Potjanasuntorn, director-general of the Export Promotion Department, yesterday insisted the new reshuffle policy had been launched without political intervention but aimed to provide more opportunities to other officials.

"The department wants to develop new, capable persons to learn more by working abroad. Those officials should bring back their experience to help develop the country," he said.

Rachane has also been a commercial counsellor in several countries, his last posting being in Japan.

In the first phase of the reshuffle, commercial counsellors who have worked in foreign offices for more than 15 years will have to return home in September. These officials, 16 in all, are based mainly in the United States, China and the Middle East.

In the second stage, officials whith more than 10 years' experience abroad will come back in October. Finally, officials with four to five years' experience will be moved to other foreign offices or return home.

The department has drawn up guidelines for officials abroad, under which those who have completed a four-year term can extend the period, but they should not exceed six years in one post.

Rachane said any government official who would like to be based abroad must first have at least three years' experience working in Bangkok. He said the department would also open up opportunities for officials from different departments to apply to work overseas as commercial counsellors.

Meanwhile, the department will call a meeting of all Thai trade counsellors worldwide together with 40 honorary commercial counsellors abroad.

The September meeting in Bangkok will be aimed at discussing ideas to ensure that the country's target for export growth of 12.5 per cent to US$145 billion (Bt4.96 trillion) is met this year.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation