Governor faces controversy due to emergency budget proposal
The governor of Ubon Ratchathani, Adisak Noisuwan, has been transferred to an inactive post at the Interior Ministry due to severe mismanagement and an abnormally slow disbursement of emergency funds allocated to assist people affected by the recent border conflict with Cambodia.
The investigation concerns the mishandling of the 100-million-baht emergency allocation from the central contingency fund, meant to support citizens displaced or otherwise adversely impacted by the clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. The disbursement of funds in Ubon Ratchathani has been particularly slow, with only 55,600 baht out of the allocated amount having been distributed. In contrast, neighboring provinces such as Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Buri Ram have disbursed 55.1 million baht, 46.8 million baht, and 14.1 million baht, respectively.
The administration spent 6 million baht to cover food, shelter, and survival kits for evacuees through this mechanism. Public and royal donations also helped cover relief efforts, with 120,000 meals, valued at 1.2 million baht, prepared through a royal mobile kitchen. Supplies worth 1.6 million baht from the Thai Red Cross have been distributed.
The transfer of Adisak Noisuwan is pending the results of an official investigation. The Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced the decision to transfer the governor, stating that swift relief delivery and accountability are essential during the inquiry.
Clear guidelines were issued to all governors in a July 29 meeting with the Comptroller General's Department and related agencies. Bhumjaithai MP Korrawee Prissananantakul, who chairs the House committee on provincial administration, expressed concern about the low distribution of funds.
The House committee on administration revealed the distribution of funds for Ubon Ratchathani, shedding light on the discrepancy between the province's disbursement rate and those of its neighbors. Adisak stated that initial relief efforts were covered by local administrative organizations' budgets, but the investigation will determine whether this allocation was misused.
This reflects strong government action to address perceived negligence in emergency crisis management. The transfer of Adisak Noisuwan aims to ensure swift relief delivery and hold the governor accountable during the inquiry. No new facts about the investigation into Adisak Noisuwan's mishandling of funds were mentioned in this paragraph. No new facts about the transfer of Adisak Noisuwan were mentioned in this paragraph.
On a positive note, an additional 4.7 million baht will be disbursed on Aug 12 for property damage and livestock losses. The government remains committed to supporting those affected by the border conflict and ensuring that emergency funds are used effectively and efficiently.
[1] Thai PBS World [2] Bangkok Post [3] Khaosod English [4] Nation Thailand [5] Reuters
- The investigation into the governor's mismanagement of emergency funds in Ubon Ratchathani is part of the ongoing policy-and-legislation discussions, as the government strives to improve crisis management and ensure efficient allocation of resources in politics and general-news scenarios.
- The discrepancy in the disbursement of emergency funds between Ubon Ratchathani and its neighboring provinces has raised concerns in crime-and-justice sectors, especially with the ongoing investigation into the mishandling of funds by Adisak Noisuwan, the governor of Ubon Ratchathani.
