Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has appointed Phalang Chon Party leader Sontaya Kunplome as the new mayor of Pattaya, the world famous beach resort town, citing its need for a "highly able" administrator.
Sonthaya: Prayut invokes Section 44
The appointment, made Tuesday using a powerful Section 44 order, will see Mr Sontaya, a former tourism and sports minister with a political power base in Chon Buri, replacing Pol Maj Gen Anan Chaloenchasi.
Pattaya needs a major who has "high potential, as well as experience and capabilities" to carry out jobs in line with the state's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project, read the order.
The 55-year-old politician will work as "interim mayor" while authorities amend the municipality law for a local election in Pattaya.
Critics said the appointment was part of an attempt to reward politicians for them supporting Gen Prayut's return as an outside prime minister after next year's general election.