The Prime Minister confirmed the Civil Service Committee's resolution to remove Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit, stating there was no malice and that it is an internal matter within the Ministry of Public Health. He also explained that flood compensation payments are made based on actual damage, noting that some affected groups have yet to register for assistance. The compensation depends on the extent of damage.
At 10:45 a.m. on 26 Jan 2026 GMT+7 Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior spoke regarding the meeting of the Civil Service Committee (Subcommittee on Civil Servants) of the Ministry of Public Health which resolved to remove Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit former director of Saba Yoi Hospital in Songkhla province, who has since resigned from government service to run for Songkhla constituency 2 MP under the Prachachon Party. He said this is an internal ministry matter. “I don’t know all the details. Being at the Government House, I am not at the Ministry of Public Health.”
Regarding suspicions that Dr. Supat's removal was due to his announcement demanding flood relief funds for Hat Yai together with Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Chair of the Progressive Movement and Prachachon Party campaign assistant, the Prime Minister said that the house repair relief has already been approved by Cabinet. The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning must survey the damage. Compensation is capped at 49,000 baht per house but does not guarantee the full amount. Some houses may receive thousands, tens of thousands, or even just hundreds of baht depending on actual damage assessed jointly by the department and local areas. The government budget has been sent and explained to the Election Commission.
“Claims that this was done before the parliament dissolution are not true. The flood occurred just a few days before the dissolution,” he said.
Anutin added that the 9,000 baht household relief under government regulations has been fully implemented. Remaining cases are mainly people who have not registered. Most have already received assistance, not only in Songkhla or Hat Yai district but nationwide—from Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, down through the south in all provinces affected by flooding.
When asked to confirm whether Dr. Supat's removal was not an act of malice, the Prime Minister replied that one should ask the Ministry of Public Health as he cannot confirm since he lacks the information. However, if asked whether it was malice, he affirmed there was none. He said, “I have said before that I am the only one who has been maligned. I have never maligned anyone.”