“Apimuk” retorts to “Ratchada,” saying there is no need to rush to please the new boss by neglecting to verify information. He affirms the government’s budget allocation is disproportionate and stresses the Prime Minister’s statements have been inconsistent, especially regarding “Supachai” not managing the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
On 17 April 2026, Apimuk Chantawanich, Deputy Spokesperson of the Democrat Party, addressed the case where Ratchada Thanadirek, Government Spokesperson, criticized former Prime Minister and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s comments on the government’s performance. Apimuk pointed out that the government spokesperson misunderstood and provided incomplete information on three key points, and warned that information should be checked carefully before rushing to please the new boss.
Regarding Ratchada’s claim that the 2027 budget must be finalized before transferring the 2026 budget for use, Apimuk said this reasoning is unacceptable because the public is currently suffering and the government needs funds immediately. Therefore, it is necessary to transfer the 2026 budget for immediate use without waiting to complete next year’s budget first.
On the point of relief efforts, which Ratchada claimed have already been substantial, Apimuk reaffirmed Abhisit’s statement that assistance is disproportionate to the hardship. When measured as a proportion of GDP, Thailand spends the least on public relief compared to other countries with similar economic levels.
Most importantly, concerning the division of duties among deputy prime ministers, Apimuk questioned whether Ratchada had heard Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s statement to parliament on 9 April 2026. The Prime Minister clearly said that Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthumpan did not oversee the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives as previously campaigned. Instead, the agriculture cluster was assigned to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yossanan Wongsawat from the Pheu Thai Party, who has full authority. This contradicts Ratchada’s explanation that Supachai manages the agricultural and industrial product tasks as previously stated.
“I want to warn Ms. Ratchada to thoroughly verify and complete information before speaking. Don’t just focus on pleasing the new boss without carefully considering the facts,” he said. Apimuk concluded his remarks.