Dr. Warong urges the Prime Minister to quickly resolve corruption issues in the Ministry of Agriculture, recommending that Suriya be removed from the Cabinet because explanations about the transfer are unconvincing. He revealed that the opposition whip will bring this up for discussion on 5 May.
On 2 May 2026, Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, a party-list MP and leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, spoke about the sudden transfer of Mr. Rachen Silparaya, Director-General of the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department, to become an inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture, despite his upcoming retirement in September. The official reason cited was suitability. However, rumors have surfaced that a relative of the Agriculture Minister contacted officials about the aircraft maintenance budget in the Royal Rainmaking Department, which is currently under social scrutiny. From what I have followed, the director-general plans to seek justice through the Kla Party, but there has been no progress. When budget issues for aircraft maintenance are mentioned, it’s clear that certain groups are aiming to profit or seek benefits from this matter. The director-general's bold disclosures have drawn public attention. Therefore, it is the Prime Minister's duty to clarify the situation and not delegate responsibility to the Agriculture Minister to avoid political sensitivity with coalition partners. This is directly the Prime Minister’s responsibility, as head of government, to act if there is knowledge of attempts to exploit the national budget in the preparation for the 2027 fiscal year's expenditure budget. Society is now suspicious that there may be attempts to corruptly benefit from the state budget. If the Prime Minister ignores this and takes no action, it contradicts his recent policy statement to Parliament pledging to combat corruption.
"In my personal view, there is sufficient cause to believe there is an attempt to exploit the national budget during the 2027 fiscal year budget preparations. The Prime Minister has ample reason to reshuffle the Cabinet by removing ministers implicated in or suspected of involvement in these allegations, to prevent further damage to the government's image, which could shorten its tenure. The explanation given by Minister Suriya that the transfer was due to the official nearing retirement is unconvincing, especially with revelations that relatives have made calls regarding the aircraft maintenance budget, making the situation clearer and unacceptable to overlook. I believe the opposition coalition whip meeting on 5 May will definitely discuss this matter. Also, if the Director-General of the Royal Rainmaking Department feels I can assist, I am willing," Dr. Warong stated.