By Thai Newsroom Reporters
PEOPLE’S LEADER Nattapong Ruengpanyawut today (July 22) pledged to see to it that his opposition party will closely follow the Pheu Thai-led government’s allocations of a sum of 157 billion baht in record funding for varied infrastructural development projects anticipated to be up for grabs by those connected with the core party of the current coalition.
The People’s leader who concurrently acts as Opposition leader at parliament said political conflict of interest could probably arise between parties scrambling to take large portions of the 157 billion baht funding at the cost of the taxpayers’ money, thus prompting the largest opposition party to closely monitor the expenditure of such immense government funds in the upcoming fiscal 2026.
Nattapong was apparently responding to criticism that the Pheu Thai, core of the current coalition, would probably look to restore their now-ebbing popularity among the people nationwide particularly during the run-up to a general election by manipulating to allocate huge chunks of the 157 billion baht total to as many areas as possible through the mechanisms of the Ministry of Interior which takes direct control of the Department of Provincial Administration and Department of Local Administration.
Appropriations of government funds for some politically-connected areas could possibly trigger graft and generate partisan or personal gains whilst leaving others underfunded for infrastructural development projects.
Many local administrators nationwide have been reportedly preoccupied with plans and schemes to launch development projects to be wholly sponsored by the government fund which was earlier earmarked for the sensational, yet-allegedly unsuccessful digital wallet giveaway package.
All local authorities ranging from provincial governors and chief district officers to kamnan (tambon headmen) and puyaibaan (village headmen) are legally subject to the Department of Provincial Administration whilst all elected administrations ranging from provincial administrations and municipalities to tambon-based administrations, also known as Or Bor Tor, are under care of the Department of Local Administration.
The Pheu Thai steered by court-suspended prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s father/de facto party boss Thaksin Shinawatra has already taken over the interior portfolio from the Bhumjaithai, now part of the opposition bloc under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob.
Acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai, largely viewed as a right-hand man for Thaksin, is concurrently performing as interior minister in place of Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul.
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Top and Front Page: People’s leader Nattapong Ruengpanyawut. Photos: Thai Rath
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