Minister Denies False Claims Over Flood Budget Cuts
Deputy PM's office minister denies claims of flood budget cuts to Haad Yai, saying the municipality rejected 99.5 million baht in proposals and instead has over 200 million baht in unused accumulated funds.
On July 10, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister's Office Minister Praradorn Prishananantakul posted a video clarification through his personal Facebook page addressing allegations from the 'Lomfa Akad' page questioning how severe the government's alleged budget cuts to Haad Yai were. Praradorn said he traced the claim to Songkhla MP Jury Noomkaew of the Democratic Party.
At a special meeting of the government-private sector committee on July 8, PM Anuthon Chaiyaphichayakul and the Interior Minister convened to address flooding issues in Haad Yai, Songkhla province. The Songkhla private-sector committee had proposed a 99.5 million baht budget to solve irrigation canal problems in the area.
Praradorn noted the real issue was that Mayor Nakhon Haad Yai Narong Porn Na Patthalung complained that the proposed budget didn't prioritize the municipality despite it being the hardest-hit flood area. He explained that he consulted various agencies, particularly Haad Yai Municipality, about their budget requests and found they rejected those proposals in favor of using accumulated funds.
After meeting with Deputy PM Piphath Ratchakij and relevant agencies, Praradorn confirmed the government would use a central budget of 457 million baht to fix Royal Canal No. 1 before October and the rainy season arrives.
Praradorn challenged Haad Yai residents to verify the facts, stating: "I want to tell Haad Yai people complaining about government neglect: do you know what your municipality requested in the 2024 budget? Not canal repairs or drainage—they requested four smart classrooms, roads, and 8 million baht for a jet ski. I was shocked. I'm not lying. I have all the data to share so you hear the other side of the truth."
He added that people should fear dishonest politicians who hide facts. Some MPs claim the government cut budgets, but that's untrue—the real issue is that Haad Yai Municipality has over 200 million baht in accumulated funds sitting unused.
"I don't fear capable people—we can debate data," Praradorn concluded. "I fear skilled liars because it's dangerous. They know just a bit of truth but exaggerate it with sad faces and false stories. I ask Haad Yai residents to consider information from the government's side as well."
