Deputy PM Orders Probe Into 30 Million Baht Flood Recovery Budget
Deputy PM Pukorn Nilpraphan ordered an investigation into 30 million baht in emergency flood recovery funds allocated after November 2024 flooding in Hatyai killed dozens and affected over 800,000 people. The probe will examine whether the
At 10 a.m. on August 19, 2025, at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister Pukorn Nilpraphan chaired a fact-finding and legal committee meeting to investigate the use of central budget emergency reserve funds for the city recovery project following the devastating flooding in Hatyai District and surrounding areas. Attending the meeting were Deputy Interior Minister Worasisith Liangprasit and National Anti-Corruption Commission Secretary-General Phumvisai Kesamsook.
Pukorn stated that following the critical flooding in Hatyai and surrounding areas on November 19-21, 2024, the government declared a state of emergency on November 25, 2024. More than 800,000 people were affected, with numerous injuries and deaths.
The government's immediate priority was providing relief and recovery assistance to flood victims. However, complaints emerged alleging misuse of central budget allocations. Pukorn emphasized that the Prime Minister was not complacent and therefore established this committee to thoroughly investigate the facts and legal compliance of the expenditures. The Cabinet approved 30 million baht in central emergency funds on December 2, 2024, as proposed by the Interior Ministry.
The committee must verify whether implementation followed applicable laws and regulations, and what exemptions from standard procedures, if any, were granted given the urgent emergency status. The investigation aims to clarify all aspects of the budget usage and identify all parties involved.
