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History of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce
History of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce
During the government of Prime Minister Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, the Chamber of Commerce Act of 1966 was enacted and published in the Royal Gazette to establish the Thai Chamber of Commerce to represent the private sector in business and trade. Later, the government of General Prem Tinsulanonda promoted the establishment of chambers of commerce in every province, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce responsible for the operation, the Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade as the central registrar of chambers of commerce, and the governor of each province as the provincial registrar of chambers of commerce. The provincial commerce office was required to report progress regularly.
For Phuket Province, which was one of the provinces prioritized to establish a chamber of commerce, around 1979, during the time when Mr. Saneh Wattanathon was the governor, he, together with the Provincial Commerce Office, organized a meeting on July 25, 1979. The objective was to inform businesspeople and traders in the province about the functions and roles of the Provincial Chamber of Commerce and what the Provincial Chamber of Commerce Development Committee (PCDC) is. The meeting was attended by committee members from the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Trade Institutions Division of the Department of Internal Trade, led by Mr. Preecha Tanprasert, Vice President of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Following the meeting, the Phuket Provincial Commerce Office coordinated with Mr. Jiar Wanich, President of the Phuket Merchants Association, Mr. Poonperm Suwannakarn, President of the Phuket Merchants Association, and Mr. Surin Sudduan, Secretary of the Phuket Merchants Association, to have the association proceed with the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce. Initially, the Merchants Association voted to establish the Phuket Chamber of Commerce and to merge the association into the Chamber. All founding committee members were then instructed to register the Phuket Chamber of Commerce.
Another meeting was held on January 31, 1980, which resolved to establish the Phuket Chamber of Commerce by February. At that time, the Phuket Merchants Association's office had moved from the fresh market area to a temporary office on Dibuk Road (the current Raya restaurant). Furthermore, the monthly meeting (6/1980) on January 31, 1980, unanimously resolved that the Phuket Chamber of Commerce should be established to replace the Phuket Merchants Association. Nine committee members were appointed as representatives initiating the establishment and applied for registration on Tuesday, March 11, 1980. Their names are as follows:
1. Mr. Poonpherm Suwannakarn
2. Mr. Tilok Thawornwongwong
3. Mr. Weerapong Hongyok
4. Mr. Preedarom Komutphol
5. Mr. Surin Sudduan
6. Mr. Su Orwattana
7. Mr. Wichai Chuphiban
8. Mr. Sujin Saengsrirattanakul
9. Mr. Sanit Tanthawes
Following the initial application for establishment, numerous problems arose, such as several board members not meeting the required qualifications, the Chamber of Commerce using the Merchants Association's seal but changing its name to PCC (THE PHUKET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE), and the ambiguity of the Chamber's office address. As a result, the entire registration application had to be suspended.
Due to these various shortcomings, the Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, proposed a solution by contacting the founders of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce to revise the regulations to be more appropriate and stringent before issuing a license. Two specific conditions were addressed:
1. Clause 25 is hereby cancelled and replaced with the following: “Receiving Reports from the Chamber of Commerce Committee”
Whenever a new committee is elected, in the event of a term expiration or the entire previous committee resigns, the new Chamber of Commerce committee must register with the Registrar of Chambers of Commerce of Phuket Province within 30 days of the election date. The committee must then take over the duties from the previous committee within 30 days of the Registrar becoming a committee member. If no new registration application has been submitted according to the regulations, the previous committee shall remain in place.”
2. Clause 30 is changed from the original text “within April of each year and no later than 120 days from the end of the Chamber of Commerce's fiscal year” to “within April of each year.” The word “and” is changed to “or” and “no later than 120 days from the end of the Chamber of Commerce's fiscal year.”
Regarding other regulations, no deficiencies were found. Nevertheless, the Merchants' Association did not take any action, leaving the matter pending until the end of 1982. It was not until the time that Mr. Jirateep Ekpermsap (formerly Mr. Thaworn Tantisiripaibul) was the president of the Phuket Merchants' Association that the province requested the establishment of the Chamber of Commerce once again. This establishment was fully completed on November 17, 1983, with both regulations amended to comply with the requirements of the Department of Internal Trade. The first annual general meeting of 1984 was held on March 19, 1984, where a resolution was passed to appoint the first executive committee consisting of 21 members, with Mr. Jirateep Ekpermsap as the president of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce.
However, after its establishment, the Phuket Chamber of Commerce did not conduct any activities, only participating in the Provincial Economic Development Committee (PEDC) meetings. Furthermore, the board members did not submit any documents to the Ministry of Commerce. This may have been due to the fact that the executive committee did not understand the role of the chamber of commerce, as most were from merchant associations. In addition, Mr. Thaworn resigned on July 1, 1988, citing several personal business needs. Moreover, some board members passed away, further hindering the chamber's effective operation.
Due to the various shortcomings of the private sector, the Provincial Commerce Office has proposed a solution once again, suggesting that they contact experienced merchants and businesspeople who are ready to serve as presidents of chambers of commerce, such as
1. Mr. Ekaphon Wanich
2. Mr. Athorn Tongwattana
3. Mr. Vichit Na Ranong
4. Mr. Somkiat Ngantavee
5. Mr. Tilok Thawornwongwong
6. Mr. Sujin Udomsap
7. Mr. Sunthorn Chiraphatanasophon
8. Mr. Paiboon Upattisring
9. Lt. Phumsak Hongyok
The one who steers the ship
The one who steers the ship
Mr. Jirateep Ekpruemsap
Founding Chairman
Mr. Sunthorn Chiraphatanasophon
1989 - 1990
Mr. Athorn Tongwattana
1991 - 1992
Mr. Krachit Tampanuwat
1993 - 1996
Mr. Paiboon Upattisring
1997 - 1998
Mr. Chan Wongsatyanon
1999 - 2000
Mr. Pramukpisit Achariyachai
2001 - 2004
Mr. Eiam Thawornwong
2005 - 2008
Dr. Sirichai Silpa-archa
2009 - 2012
Mr. Kriengsak Suksomboon
2013 - 2014
Mr. Surachai Chaiwat
2015 - 2018
Mr. Thanusak Phungdech
2019 – 2022
Mr. Kongsak Kuphongkorn
2023 – Present
Mission
Mission
Mission
To promote trade
To develop the economy
To create value in life
These are the missions of the Chamber of Commerce.
Organizational structure
Organizational structure
Mr. Kongsak Kuphongkorn
(President of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce)
Mr. Charun Sangsarn
(Vice President)
Mr. Nattapong Wisutthiphol
(Vice President)
Mr. Sarayut Mallam
(Vice President)
Mr. Wittaya Chaithawut
(Vice President)
Mr. Chaiya Raphupol
(Vice President)
Mr. Chaow Ruangsawat
(Vice President)
Mr. Satchaphon Thongsom
(Vice President)
Mr. Sukhjan Singh, a wealthy man.
(Vice President)
Mr. Sasawat Limpanich
(Vice President)
Ms. Wipa Tantithamwong
(Vice President)
Mr. Peerapich Ongcharoen
(Vice President)
Mr. Thanes Traiwut
(Vice President)
Mr. Naphatthorn Phetchoti
(Vice President)
Ms. Naphat Raksa Rat
(Vice President)
Mr. Pairach Thongroj
(director)
Mr. Kriengyuth Techopas
(director)
Mr. Sutthipong Pratum
(director)
Ms. Panisa Koyasomboon
(director)
Mr. Porntep Ruerin
(director)
Mr. Param Thepbut
(director)
Mr. Silpchai Pangprasertkul
(director)
Ms. Piyarat Sukhohotu
(director)
Mr. Damrongsak Phruksakit
(director)
Mr. Chakri Sawadirak
(director)
Mr. Pathomrat Chittisakdiwat
(director)
Mr. Panu Yomchinda
(director)
Mr. Nattapol Sukho
(director)
Ms. Tipchalit Sirithaveerat
(director)
Ms. Narumon Tampanuwat
(director)
Mr. Thanapat Thuatraiphop
(director)
Ms. Tippawan Raphuphon
(director)
Mr. Mitr Singhsatchakul
(director)
Mr. Preechawut Kisin
(director)
Ms. Kannika Nusuphasit
(director)
Mr. Charun Sangsarn
(secretary)
Mr. Pathomrat Chittisakdiwat
(Deputy Secretary-General)
Mr. Panu Yomchinda
(Deputy Secretary-General)
Mr. Nattapol Sukhohot
(Deputy Secretary-General)
Ms. Tipchalit Sirithaveerat
(Deputy Secretary-General)
Ms. Narumon Tampanuwat
(Deputy Secretary-General)
Mr. Thanapat Thuatraiphop
(Deputy Secretary-General)
Mr. Chaiya Raphupol
(Registrar)
Mr. Wittaya Chaithawut
(treasurer)
Ms. Naphat Raksaarat
(hostess)
Ms. Tippawan Raphuphon
(Membership)
Ms. Thamonphat Phinyo
(Office Manager)
Ms. Nichanun Na Takua Thung
(Office Manager)
Mr. Saranyakorn Nawapruethikun
(Office Manager)
Laws and Regulations
Laws and Regulations
Royal Decree on Chambers of Commerce, B.E. 2509 (1966)
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Bhumibol Adulyadej, P.R.
Granted on April 4, B.E. 2509 (1966), the 21st year of the present reign.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has graciously commanded that it be proclaimed that, as it is deemed appropriate to have a law concerning chambers of commerce, His Majesty has graciously commanded the enactment of this Act with the advice and consent of the Constitutional Drafting Assembly acting as Parliament, as follows: Section 1 This Act shall be called "The Chamber of Commerce Act, B.E. 2509 (1966)". Section 2 This Act shall come into force on the day following the date of its publication in the Royal Gazette. Section 3 All other laws, rules and regulations that are provided for in this Act, or that conflict or contradict the provisions of this Act, shall be superseded by this Act.
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