Democrat Councilor Accuses Pheu Thai Colleague of Park Project Interference
Democrat Party councilor Niphon Chirakul accuses Pheu Thai councilor and Bangkok Council President Phataraporn Keng-rungrueangchai of improperly intervening in a completed Bang Sue park renovation project by ordering unauthorized design changes. Niphon is seeking an ethics investigation through the Bangkok Council and may escalate the case to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for alleged dereliction of duty.
On November 13, 2026, at the Democrat Party headquarters, Bangkok Noi councilor Niphon Chirakul, in his capacity as Chairman of the Bangkok Council's Public Works and City Planning Committee, disclosed that the Public Works Committee and the Administration and Public Order Committee, chaired by Democrat councilor Pinij Kanchanachusak, received a complaint from a private contractor hired to renovate Chotiwat Park in Bang Sue district.
Niphon stated that evidence shows Ms. Phataraporn Keng-rungrueangchai, a Pheu Thai Party councilor for Bang Sue who also serves as Bangkok Council President, interfered with the Bang Sue District Office's work and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's budget. She issued a letter ordering revisions to the renovation details after the contractor had already completed the project and submitted more than 10 progress reports. Preliminary findings indicate the requested changes did not comply with the terms of reference agreed upon by the district office and the contractor.
"Even though the matter has been resolved because the Bang Sue District Office did not follow the Bangkok Council President's orders and paid the contractor according to the contract — since the company filed an Administrative Court case — Ms. Phataraporn's offense is considered complete," Niphon said. "I am therefore preparing a letter to the Bangkok Council President to investigate her ethics, though the outcome is uncertain because it requires her to investigate herself. If this approach is not accepted, we may need to file a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for dereliction of duty under Section 157."
Pinij added that the Administration Committee has investigated the matter, having already invited the contractor to provide clarification, and plans to summon Ms. Phataraporn next. Initially, the matter will be referred to the Bangkok Council's Committee on Council Affairs to appoint a subcommittee to investigate the Bangkok Council President.
