Interior Ministry Orders Nationwide Foundation Audits and Legal Reform
Assistant Interior Minister Phon Phit Suwanchawi ordered a nationwide audit of up to 17,500 foundations and associations, citing outdated laws that lack revocation powers for violations. A legal reform team led by Permanent Secretary Anuphong Sukasemnit has drafted amendments, while interim ministerial regulations are being prepared. A high-profile Pathum Thani foundation case is being referred to court for license revocation based on police evidence of objective violations.
On November 10, 2026, at the Ministry of Interior, Assistant Minister Phon Phit Suwanchawi chaired a meeting on oversight and regulation of associations and foundations. Attendees included Anuphong Sukasemnit, Permanent Secretary for Internal Security; Kittiwat Patchiman, Director-General of the Department of Business Development; Wirut Sittiwong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration; and Wiraphon Kiatthaiphat, Assistant Secretary to the Interior Minister.
Phon Phit stated the meeting addressed two areas: registration permitting and oversight of authorized organizations. Currently, the Ministry reviews documents and permits registration but lacks provisions to revoke or penalize entities operating outside their stated objectives, with only civil and criminal penalties available. Some laws date back to 1927 with outdated fines. Anuphong was tasked to lead legal amendments; the Ministry's draft is complete.
The government also assigned Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilphan to head a government review of the draft, with a meeting set for November 17. As amending an Act could take up to two years, the Ministry is preparing ministerial regulations and Prime Minister's Office orders for interim enforcement.
Regarding a high-profile foundation case in Pathum Thani, if additional documents are not submitted per the Ministry's request to the provincial governor as registrar, legal action will proceed. The Department of Provincial Administration has coordinated with the Royal Thai Police for additional evidence on whether the foundation violated its objectives. Police testimony has indicated such violations, and those documents will be attached to a court petition for immediate license revocation.
The Ministry is auditing all foundations nationwide. Preliminary figures show roughly 14,300 foundations, but cross-checking paper and online systems suggests up to 17,500. Awaiting additional lists from Bangkok for full verification across both systems to confirm content matches legal objectives. The audit must be completed within 30 days.
