Anutin Orders Foundation Audits Over Charity Fraud Claims
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul condemned the diversion of charitable donations for personal use as cruel and ordered the Department of Provincial Administration to audit foundations nationwide. He emphasized that legal changes will wait until investigations verify fraud, and instructed officials to prevent the public from falling victim to scammers.
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described the misuse of donated funds for personal gain as extremely cruel. He ordered the Ministry of Interior's Department of Provincial Administration to inspect other foundations, stressing that no one must break the law and that the public must be protected from fraudsters. At a press briefing at Government House on November 10 at 13:45, Anutin said Deputy Interior Minister Phlaphir Suwanchawi would meet with the Department of Provincial Administration, which acts as registrar, to conduct inspections. When asked about preliminary legal amendments, the prime minister said it was too early; authorities must first verify whether there has been deception of donors. "This is considered a serious matter because soliciting money for one purpose and then using it personally is quite cruel, and such things should not happen," Anutin said. Asked whether citizens have petitioned for transparency in many foundations, the prime minister replied that all foundations already submit annual financial reports and status updates, so inspections must follow up. Regarding foundations linked to border areas or the military that might need special scrutiny, Anutin said the director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration oversees those matters. Pressed on whether he, as acting prime minister, had issued strict orders, Anutin confirmed he had directed that everything be done to prevent anyone from breaking the law, to prosecute offenders, and to shield the public from such fraudsters.
