PM Orders Nationwide Inspection of Foundations, Associations
PM Anutin orders nationwide audits of foundations and associations to prevent donation misuse, with nearly 1,000 entities under review in
The Ministry of Interior has ordered strict nationwide inspections of foundations and associations to crack down on donations being accepted for purposes other than their registered objectives. On November 10, 2026, journalists traveled to the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court to monitor the inspection of foundations and associations in the area. This follows an order from Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul directing the Ministry of Interior, with the Department of Provincial Administration as the lead agency, to urgently audit the registration, donation intake, and financial expenditures of foundations and associations nationwide to regulate society and prevent corruption.
The order mandates verification that registrations comply with the law, that any public fundraising operates under a permit as required by the Fundraising Control Act of 1944, and that financial trails, income-expense accounts, and the use of donations align with registered objectives.
Wutthichai Phakchai, a senior administrative officer at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Administration Office responsible for foundations and associations in the province, disclosed that Nakhon Ratchasima currently has 375 registered foundations and 598 registered associations across all 32 districts. Following the directive from the Ministry of Interior and the Prime Minister, the province has instructed every district to accelerate inspections and monitor foundations and associations that may pose risks regarding donations accepted outside their stated purposes.
Oversight of foundations and associations is conducted annually per ministerial regulations, requiring them to submit annual operational reports, accounts, and balance sheets by March each year. Additionally, coordination with the Area Revenue Office ensures tax compliance and continuous monitoring of each entity's income.
Regarding donation drives for disaster relief — such as border incidents, fires, or floods — which may raise large sums, Wutthichai stated that no public announcements for such fundraising have been found in Nakhon Ratchasima to date. Most assistance is organized within small groups or communities and has not expanded to provincial or national levels.
However, with nearly 1,000 foundations and associations combined in the province, inspections require multi-agency cooperation at both district and provincial levels. If the public observes any foundation or association behaving suspiciously, accepting donations outside its registered purpose, or posing financial risks, they can report it to officials for further investigation.
The public can submit information or tips regarding foundations and associations in Nakhon Ratchasima to the Administration Division at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Administration Office, telephone 044-244-252, for fact-checking and further legal action.
