Je-seth fired back at Juree, accusing him of inadequate budget study and sarcastically suggesting the Democrat Party allocate committee seats to him so he could gain more knowledge. He fiercely responded to the incense-calling controversy, declaring, “If you have some, pour it over yourself and light it; I’ll put out the fire with my bare hands.”
At 15:10 on 1 July 2026, at the Parliament building during the House of Representatives meeting to consider the third reading of the 2027 fiscal year budget bill, Ms. Mallika Jirapantwanich, First Deputy Speaker of the House, chaired the session. Je-seth Thai-seth, Deputy Minister of the Interior, explained Juree Numkaew, Democrat MP for Songkhla, who debated the budget for disaster response of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), which accounts for only 7% of the total budget, stating that in his understanding, the strategic national preparedness system development plan and disaster management system budget exceeds 4.8 billion baht.
Je-seth further said the prevention and mitigation budget is 331 million baht, but Juree may have overlooked another section showing over 3.4 billion baht allocated for effective disaster preparedness. This includes prevention efforts like training, equipment procurement, developing warning systems, and enhancing staff capacity to respond efficiently and promptly.
“But your accusation that DDPM’s prevention budget is only 7% is understandable if you did not study the budget book thoroughly. I suggest the Democrat Party allocate a budget committee quota for Mr. Juree so he can gain a better understanding of budget preparation.”
Regarding the lack of warnings in the Hat Yai flood area, Je-seth explained that two warning letters were sent and the National Disaster Warning Center broadcast Cell Broadcast messages 226 times since November 2025, including 15 alerts specifically to Hat Yai. He believes Juree must have received these messages on his phone, yet he claimed there were no warnings.
Je-seth added that the question of which agency leads integrated disaster prevention and mitigation budgets arises because funds are allocated across ministries according to their responsibilities. It is not DDPM’s role to build dams or embankments—that falls to the Royal Irrigation Department or the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning. He thinks Juree should understand why the budget is dispersed.
Moreover, Hat Yai is a crisis and emergency area. The budget requests for this area are consolidated and submitted through the central budget to be allocated locally. Je-seth intended to visit Hat Yai on his first day as Deputy Minister of Interior and collaborated with the Provincial Waterworks Authority. On 17 July, a national-level disaster drill will be held in Hat Yai. He emphasized his good intentions and commitment to addressing disasters.
“Many have told me they did not pay attention to your Facebook live streams, but yesterday you said you would light incense to call me, mentioning the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, which can only mean me. Calling me by saying you must light incense to summon me—I don’t know what you think of me, but I have always regarded you as a respected fellow member. I tell all agencies under my supervision to respect all members, whether opposition or government. So is this what you say to me? That you will light incense to call me? Is this what I have received?”
At the end, Je-seth said he was not at Parliament yesterday due to a fire incident and therefore there was no need to light incense to call him. “You said you would have a fellow member nearby light incense to call me. Does he have oil? If so, have him pour oil on you and light it. I will come and extinguish the fire with my bare hands.”
Meanwhile, Juree exercised his right to respond, stating that he has been demeaned throughout his life and never thought the person demeaning him today would be a minister. He said Je-seth’s remark that he lacks knowledge is demeaning. He argued that the budget allocation gives minimal importance to disaster prevention, citing Hat Yai municipality’s flood prevention budget as an example that was ineffective. He recalled the Prime Minister’s statement that the disaster relief budget mainly focuses on compensation, urging a shift toward prevention. He did not expect to be demeaned and insulted to such an extent.