"Kongkrit and Rakchanok" received a letter from Samut Prakan residents requesting an investigation into the budget use of the Racha Thewa Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO), fearing a lack of transparency in the Lat Krabang canal-side development project. They questioned why officials accused by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) remain in office.
At 1:00 p.m. on 1 July 2026, at the press room on the first floor of the Parliament Building, Mr. Kongkrit Chatmaleerat, Chair of the Decentralization, Local Governance, and Special Administration Committee, and Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, Chair of the Budget Preparation and Oversight Committee, along with their teams, received a letter from Mr. Singhanu Khunnit, a resident of Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province. The letter requested disciplinary and supervisory review concerning executives and local officials of the Racha Thewa SAO in Samut Prakan, who have been accused by the NACC and whose cases have been accepted by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct. Additionally, a letter from Mr. Apiwat Saengyai, a member of the Samut Prakan Provincial Administrative Organization Council, was submitted, requesting an assessment of budget efficiency and public impact of the Lat Krabang canal-side development project by Racha Thewa SAO, led by Ms. Nittaya Meesri, MP for Samut Prakan from the People's Party.
Ms. Nittaya Meesri said she brought representatives of Racha Thewa residents to submit a complaint to the Decentralization, Local Governance, and Special Administration Committee regarding the tenure of local executives and officials at the Racha Thewa SAO, as well as concerns over the organization's budget use to the Budget Preparation and Oversight Committee.
The Racha Thewa SAO in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan, has been investigated by the NACC for multiple cases, including CCTV purchases, 'Kinaree' streetlight procurement, and fire truck acquisitions. These have led to former and current SAO chiefs and several permanent officials being defendants in corruption criminal cases, some under trial in the Central Criminal Court for Corruption, others on appeal. Consequently, local residents have doubts and concerns about the executives' compliance with regulations and disciplinary actions regarding the implicated officials.
However, no public information or facts have yet emerged regarding disciplinary measures, supervision, or administrative actions following the NACC’s accusations and the court’s acceptance of the corruption cases. This has raised suspicion and concern among the public about law enforcement, personnel management, and governance standards of the local administrative organization, as the accused executives and officials continue serving in key Racha Thewa SAO positions involving administration, personnel supervision, budget management, and organizational operations. Thus, the Decentralization Committee was asked to study and investigate the following facts.
1. After the NACC’s accusations, have the supervisory authorities taken disciplinary actions against the implicated executives and officials according to the law?
2. Is the continued service of these individuals in their positions in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and operational guidelines?
3. Have the supervisory authorities monitored, expedited, and inspected the Racha Thewa SAO’s actions regarding these cases?
Mr. Apiwat Saengyai, a member of the Samut Prakan Provincial Administrative Organization Council, said he has received complaints and concerns from Racha Thewa residents about the Lat Krabang canal-side development project. This large-scale project, valued at several hundred million baht, involves continuous development along the canal including buildings, shops, public spaces, tourism sites, and various structures. Initial research and community feedback highlight significant concerns about the necessity and cost-effectiveness of such a large budget, the appropriateness of budget prioritization, and potential impacts on water drainage, management, and future canal maintenance. No clear public data exists on drainage impact studies or flow analysis related to the project, issues of strong local interest and concern. Therefore, to ensure public funds are used efficiently, transparently, and accountably, the Budget Preparation and Oversight Committee was asked to examine the following.
1. The necessity and cost-effectiveness of the project relative to the proposed budget, including whether the preparation of three related projects totaling 600 million baht complies with government regulations and laws.
2. The appropriateness of budget prioritization compared to the problems and needs of the local population.
3. The availability of impact assessment reports on water drainage and flow analysis.
4. Potential effects on drainage, water management, and future canal maintenance.
5. Opinions from water management agencies and relevant engineering departments on the project.
This comprehensive fact-finding aims to build public trust and ensure public budget use yields maximum community benefit.
Mr. Kongkrit Chatmaleerat stated that the executives and officials of the Racha Thewa SAO are still serving, despite the NACC’s accusations. The committee will address this issue on behalf of the complainants who approached Ms. Nittaya Meesri, MP for Samut Prakan. The case will be included in the committee’s agenda to investigate why these individuals remain in office despite the accusations, with efforts to expedite the inquiry.
Ms. Rakchanok Srinok said the committee will include the budget use and public impact investigation of the Lat Krabang canal-side development project by Racha Thewa SAO in its meetings. They will request all related documents concerning the complaint and proceed with the review within this week.
