Chonlatat and Phakmon revealed that the Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration skipped the second meeting to explain to the Political Development Committee regarding the 'Help the Blue' issue. They indicated they cannot accept this; if he continues to refuse to appear personally, they may consider using the Summoning Power Act.
On 18 June 2026 at the Parliament Building, the Political Development, Mass Communication, and Public Participation Committee of the House of Representatives held a meeting to hear explanations from the Election Commission following complaints requesting an investigation into election interference by the Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior, involving a LINE message asking the Phuket provincial governor to 'help the Blue' and issues regarding the QR code on election ballots.
After the meeting, Ms. Chonlatat Koykul, Bangkok MP from the Prachachon Party and spokesperson for the Political Development Committee, told reporters that the meeting summoned both the Election Commission and the Director-General for explanations. However, the Director-General again did not attend and sent his deputy instead. The committee chair then asked the deputy to leave, saying this matter is sensitive and has broad impacts on the public. It is a major issue that cannot be handled by a subordinate official taking responsibility for possible consequences, and the Director-General must appear personally at the next meeting to explain.
Ms. Chonlatat added that the deputy cannot provide in-depth information or take responsibility on behalf of the Director-General. If the committee ultimately cannot summon the person involved for explanation, it can use the Summoning Power Act to call the individual. But the question remains how long the Director-General will continue to resist, because the committee will pursue this issue to the end.
Meanwhile, Ms. Phakmon Noon-anon, party-list MP from the Prachachon Party and chairwoman of the Political Development Committee, said today's explanations were disappointing. The committee had summoned the Director-General for a second time after he refused the first time and sent his deputy instead. In this meeting, he again did not come and sent the same deputy.
Furthermore, there has been no progress in related actions, and no investigative committee has been established as the Prime Minister or the Ministry of Interior's Department of Provincial Administration previously assured both society and the Political Development Committee. Today's meeting could not follow up on any progress in this regard.
Ms. Phakmon continued that no official should take responsibility on behalf of the Director-General's personal actions that have harmed the Department of Provincial Administration, the election, the country, and Thai citizens. Previous explanations were superficial and lacked reason. Sending subordinates again today and prior conduct reflect that the Director-General shows no concern for the consequences of his actions and has no intention to take responsibility. This is disappointing, and the Director-General should feel deeply ashamed.
