PM Anutin Denies Solar Project Corruption, Warns of Severe Punishment

At 12:45 p.m. on November 2, 2026, at Nong Khai Hospital, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul gave an interview regarding the Solar for the People project following criticism that specifications had been locked to favor certain bidders. Reports emerged that 60 companies shared identical addresses and another 120 companies had interlocking shareholders. Anutin urged the public not to jump to conclusions based on the number of companies involved. He noted that in past government auctions with vendor lists, rarely more than 20-30 firms actually bid. The current list merely shows companies eligible to purchase bid documents — registered entities that can express interest — not guaranteed winners.

Asked whether he would personally vet qualifications given the duplicate entries, Anutin said he would check for any prohibitions but does not know if any exist. Since these are juristic persons, the rules depend on whether board interlocking is forbidden. He emphasized that the Central Treasury Department set both the main and specific specifications. "Most complaints would target the specific specs if they were tailored to benefit someone, which I guarantee has not happened under my watch. I don't know about previous administrations, but under me it hasn't happened because I don't engage in such matters. Every agency knows I know — you know that I know that you know that I know," he stated.

Regarding allegations of kickbacks to subcontractors, Anutin was blunt: "There are none. If anyone does it, I'll break their neck. That's it." Before entering his vehicle, he pressed reporters on how kickbacks could occur before prices are even finalized, noting that households choose their own vendors. He challenged the media to filter their questions carefully, reiterating that the project hasn't started yet but any corruption would be met with the harshest response.

Asked if pre-emptive verification is worthwhile, Anutin countered that screening has already occurred through provincial governors, the Provincial Electricity Authority, a committee, and Interior Ministry oversight. He expressed confidence that these officials would not act improperly given the intense public scrutiny of a year-long project affecting millions of households and involving 50 billion baht in state funds plus public money. "Nothing can be hidden. Everything must be done with integrity, transparency, and we must protect the public's interests."

When pressed about being directly targeted, Anutin dismissed it: "Right now it's like a startled rabbit. I'm not looking at anything except ensuring those who win contracts do so correctly and fairly. It's not hard to see, and we're monitoring closely."