Interior Minister Hits Back at Critic Over Disaster Budget Claims
Deputy Interior Minister Jetsada Thai-Setsiri defended disaster prevention spending against opposition criticism, revealing an additional 3.4 billion baht in allocations spread across multiple agencies that an opposition MP had overlooked d
During the third reading of the 2570 fiscal year budget bill in parliament on July 1, 2569, Deputy Interior Minister Jetsada Thai-Setsiri responded to opposition MP Juree Noomkaew's criticism of disaster prevention funding. Jetsada argued that Juree had only looked at partial budget figures and missed additional 3.4 billion baht allocated for disaster management, including drills, equipment purchases, warning system development, and staff training. He explained that disaster prevention budgets are distributed across multiple agencies based on their respective responsibilities, and clarified that Hat Yai received 15 Cell Broadcast flood warnings despite Juree's claim of none.
Addressing Juree's metaphorical remark about lighting incense to call for help, Jetsada responded sarcastically, saying "You don't need to light incense for me. If you want me to come, just ask your neighbor. If he has incense and oil, let him pour it on himself and light it. I'll come help put out the fire with my bare hands." Juree later countered that he felt disrespected, noting that his overall criticism was that the budget proportion for disaster prevention remains inadequate compared to relief efforts, and cited the example of Hat Yai municipality's unfulfilled flood prevention budget as evidence of insufficient priority given to prevention over response.
