Bangkok Governor Chadchart Reshuffles Top Executives Amid Corruption Claims

On November 5, 2026, at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) headquarters, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt disclosed that he had signed BMA Order No. 4126/2026 transferring two civil servants in senior executive positions: Kamonratch Jongthanakorn, Director of the Medical Service System Development Office under the Medical Services Department, to become Director of Luang Pho Thuad Hospital; and Thanatch Phonphisonphong, Director of the Public Health System Development Office under the Health Department, to become Director of the Addiction Prevention and Treatment Office under the Health Department.

Simultaneously, he signed BMA Order No. 4127/2026 appointing two civil servants in senior professional positions to senior executive roles: Jitarada Butngamdi, Director of Bang Khen 24 Health Service Center under the Health Department, to become Director of the Public Health System Development Office under the Health Department; and Suthee Sritsir, Director of the Health Promotion Division under the Health Department, to become Director of the Communicable Disease Control Office under the Health Department. Both orders take effect from November 4, 2026.

Reports indicate that junior officials have complained of corruption via the Traffy Fondue channel, stating that as the BMA issued a survey for senior positions and prepared to accept applications, there have been movements and maneuvering within district and department offices. In particular, individuals alleged to be part of an 'akong' network and their teams have reportedly approached staff, offering proposals to secure promotions and gain administrative authority over Bangkok. Most of those implicated are involved in procurement processes. Complaints have been lodged with the State Audit Office (SAO), the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

This raises questions about how the BMA administration can proceed when political factions appear to be inserting their own people into procurement roles, regardless of ability, performance, knowledge, or integrity. The latest appointments to entry-level executive positions, which fall under the governor's direct authority, exemplify this. Since senior position appointments are the authority of the BMA Permanent Secretary with the governor's approval, there are calls for the Permanent Secretary to uphold correctness over favoritism and ensure fairness in appointments.