Anutin wished the people of Ratchasi to become "lions" who are lively, agile, and swift like "horses." He urged the governors of seven border provinces not to be complacent and asked for confidence that the Election Commission has contingency plans in case of disruptions.
At 10:39 a.m. on 5 Jan 2026 at the Ministerial Reception Room of the Ministry of Interior headquarters, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, met and extended New Year blessings to Ministry of Interior officials on the occasion of the 2026 New Year. Present were Ms. Thannon Niramis, Chairperson of the Spouses Committee of the Cabinet and Honorary Advisor of the Ministry of Interior Housewives Association; Ms. Sasithorn Kittithornkul, Deputy Minister of Interior; and Ms. Traisulee Traisoranakul, Secretary to the Prime Minister.
On this occasion, Atthasit Sampantharat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, together with Mrs. Jinnaratch Sampantharat, President of the Ministry of Interior Housewives Association, led the executive officials and the association’s board to offer New Year greetings and receive blessings from the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
Anutin expressed his gratitude to the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary, department heads, executives, Ministry of Interior officials, the president of the Ministry of Interior Housewives Association, and others for their well-wishes and goodwill extended to him, the Deputy Minister, and their families. He acknowledged that all achievements were the result of cooperation within the Ministry of Interior. Although his time with the ministry was limited, he appreciated the strong support received.
"In all the situations that have arisen, I apologize for often coming to this ministry amid various crises—floods, droughts, landslides, and even war conditions. Yet, I have never seen any discouragement from you. On the contrary, I have witnessed your dedication. Many of you have given up comfort and high-ranking positions to work on the front lines to resolve problems and ensure successful outcomes. Delays may have occurred, but those are assessments from affected parties, which should not be viewed as undermining our work." , Anutin said.
"This New Year should be a good year—the Year of the Horse. Horses are known for leaping forward, knowing the rhythm and how to accelerate, and a key quality is that no matter how fast they run, they never fall. I wish for us to transform into both lions and to be as lively, agile, and swift as horses, fitting for the year, and to serve our fellow citizens wholeheartedly. May all misfortunes pass with the previous year, and may we begin the new era with auspiciousness."
Additionally, Anutin chaired a meeting to drive important missions of the Ministry of Interior, attended by governors from all 76 provinces, district chiefs, and heads of government agencies via video conference system (VCS) and broadcast on DOPA Channel.
Anutin thanked all Ministry of Interior personnel at every level, including officials and volunteers nationwide, who jointly worked diligently to maintain order during the New Year festival without fatigue, sacrificing personal happiness to facilitate travel and ensure the safety of citizens’ lives and property. He took this opportunity to wish all Ministry of Interior officials a Happy New Year, hoping they encounter only auspiciousness, overcome all obstacles and problems, and have strong physical and mental strength in serving Thailand and its people to the fullest.
"I thank the provincial governors, administrative officials, village headmen, local government leaders, and village security volunteers (Chor Bor) everywhere, as well as members of the Territorial Defense Volunteers (Or Sor), who have performed their duties with patience and sacrifice to help alleviate citizens’ hardships. During unrest along the border, administrative and security networks have vigilantly protected sovereignty and secured rear areas, especially caring for displaced persons at shelters. The most important thing is to attend to their mental well-being and encourage those affected. I commend the provincial governors and officials who have effectively managed situations and coordinated with security forces." Anutin said.
He further stated that regarding disaster preparedness, everyone should learn from past situations, such as the floods in Songkhla Province, to develop more comprehensive prevention and response plans. Provincial governors must be ready to command and act immediately when incidents occur, emphasizing integrated forces and rapid, comprehensive relief for the people. The highest priority should be given to alert systems and communication with the public as government agencies. "The people's suffering" is our responsibility.
On the issue of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), he stressed that provincial governors must strictly enforce laws and measures as firmly as last year without exceptions. Regarding grassroots economic promotion, OTOP product sales during the recent New Year exceeded targets by over 20%, totaling more than 800 million baht. The Department of Community Development should continue supporting entrepreneurs by providing knowledge, upgrading skills (up-skilling/re-skilling), and applying technology to expand marketing channels to increase income and build greater confidence in OTOP products.
"For the Thai-Cambodian border situation, a joint statement has been signed by both sides to cease fire. The Department of Provincial Administration and governors of the seven Thai-Cambodian border provinces must remain vigilant and keep contingency plans and shelters ready at all times. The Ministry of Interior's main mission is to ensure the safety and welfare of the people. Negotiations are the responsibility of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) and the General Border Committee (GBC). Additionally, efforts should be accelerated to survey and repair damaged homes to ensure appropriate and timely assistance to affected residents."
Regarding tourism and reducing road accidents during the New Year festival, it is very encouraging that many tourists visited Thailand, reflecting their confidence. He thanked all provincial governors for facilitating and ensuring tourist safety to boost Thailand’s economy and tourism sector. Given the declining trend in road accidents, he requested the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) to review data recording criteria and clarify accident cause classifications to improve planning for reducing road accidents during long holidays. Anutin said.
In closing, Anutin spoke about maintaining order during the general election scheduled for 8 Feb 2026. He assured that the election will proceed as planned and that if unrest occurs, the government and the Election Commission have prepared contingency measures. He urged Ministry of Interior officials to remain politically neutral, strictly follow civil service regulations, and facilitate an orderly, clean, and fair election. He thanked everyone for their dedication, streamlining procedures to serve the public better, and wished all success in their duties. "Alleviate suffering and promote well-being" to the people to the fullest extent possible.