Former Prachinburi Governor Demands Transfer of Ban Sang District Chief
Former Prachinburi governor Wirapan Deon said he sought the transfer of Ban Sang district chief Setthewut Wongloewut because the official merely produces content and fails to coordinate relief work. Deon accused the chief of lacking leadership, ignoring help from officials and the private sector, and staying in the post too long, which has caused difficulties for locals. He added that the change is unproblematic and that people are actually pleased with the move.
On 8 October 2026, former Prachinburi governor Wirapan Deon appeared on the Labour News talk show and explained why he had asked for the transfer of Ban Sang district chief Setthewut Wongloewut. He said he had wanted to move the official for a long time, ever since floodwaters reached Ban Sang, but the chief did not work as expected and suffered from poor coordination.
Deon claimed that local residents and outsiders tried to help but were rebuffed, and the chief reacted with anger, insisting he could cope while in reality he was overwhelmed by huge problems. He added that outsiders only see a polished image because the chief spends his time making daily content rather than doing real work, which prompted Deon to send a letter to the central government on 30 September 2026 requesting a reassignment.
When asked for evidence of misconduct, Deon said the Department of Provincial Administration would investigate. As the provincial supervisor, his duty is to manage personnel and fix problems, but the district chief lacks leadership, fails to cooperate with colleagues, and has remained in the post for four years—too long to perform effectively.
He listed three issues: the chief sends back provincial resources and claims he never asked for them, rejects assistance from the private sector, and speaks disrespectfully with overconfidence, prompting daily complaints that he can no longer tolerate. Deon warned that the chief must stay at the command centre, follow superiors, and use the full budget allocated—Ban Sang district received three million baht—but relief efforts remain chaotic because the official focuses on making content instead of preparing and working with both hands and mind.
Deon also said he had advised the chief, a fellow villager from Nakhon, not to let emotions dictate his dealings with subordinates and to use courteous language; otherwise workers would refuse to cooperate. He stressed that being aggressive because one is from the south or claiming to be a good, capable leader does not justify the chief’s behaviour, and that local leaders are fed up and want him removed to avoid further hardship for villagers.
Regarding rumors that he missed the governor’s retirement ceremony and opposed an electronic waste dump in Ban Sang, Deon said the retirement event was organised by the Chamber of Commerce for department heads and he only gave blessings to retirees, so it is unrelated. On the waste issue, he said he had ordered the hazardous‑waste solution, he is the planner and executor, and the district chief merely follows orders; all districts conduct surveys to prevent illegal dumping and issue warnings, with negligent areas facing disciplinary action, thus the claim that he is facilitating Chinese capital is false.
Finally, he concluded that there is no problem changing horses mid‑race, people are actually pleased, constant filming continues with someone always following him with a camera, and the acting district chief does his job—those who cannot perform are removed.
