Natthapong led the People’s Party in hosting the “Opposition Leaders’ Forum: Birth, Aging, Illness, Corruption,” highlighting how corruption erodes Thai lives from birth until death. Meanwhile, Pakamon expressed doubt that local exam fraud investigations will reach the masterminds.
At 09:00 on 20 July 2026 at Novotel Bangkok Hotel, the People’s Party (PPP) held the “Opposition Leaders’ Forum: Birth, Aging, Illness, Corruption,” attracting enthusiastic participation from party leaders and MPs, including Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, party leader and opposition leader in the House of Representatives; Wirayut Kanchuchat, party list MP and deputy leader; Pakamon Noon-anun, party list MP and party spokesperson; and Piyarat Jathep, party list MP.
Natthapong opened by asking what comes to mind when hearing about major corruption scandals—whether it’s the rice pledging scheme, GT-200, borrowed watches declared as assets, or the recent TH-AI Passport local exam fraud. He emphasized that corruption affects every Thai, eating away at lives and society. To solve corruption beyond procurement and corrupt politicians, addressing its impact on daily life from birth to death is crucial. He questioned how to effectively tackle this pervasive corruption.
The forum categorized corruption into five types that impact Thai lives:
Group 1: Corruption that diminishes the rights of Thai people.
Group 2: Situations where citizens pay unnecessarily or excessively.
Group 3: Those indirectly affected but who suffer side effects from corruption.
Group 4: Offenders paying to avoid responsibility.
Group 5: Individuals paying to obtain things they have no right to.
Natthapong explained that this classification will help conclude how Thailand should address corruption linked to everyday life from birth to death.
Warning of 'fake father' networks as a national security threat.
Piyarat discussed the 'fake father' network problem, revealing that over six hospitals in Bangkok have recorded 150 to 200 births with forged Thai birth certificates. He suspects the true number may approach several thousand, representing a serious national security issue, not just minor document forgery. These networks, backed by large 'grey capital,' create ecosystems without Thai intermediaries. In 10–20 years, these children could gain full Thai citizenship, civil service eligibility, and political rights. He urged proactive, systematic measures, especially advocating for forensic and DNA testing on at-risk groups before birth certificates are issued, to prevent this before it's too late.
Lisa addresses local civil service exam fraud, doubting it will reach the masterminds.
Pakamon reflected on civil service exam fraud reforms, likening the unfolding investigation to a suspenseful film whose ending—whether the real culprits will be revealed—is uncertain. Authorities seem cautious to avoid implicating key masterminds whose exposure could topple the government. Reports from local areas indicate annual exam fraud linked to entrenched patronage and provincial influence, with money believed to solve all issues. She stressed that political factors cannot be denied, questioning why only five Ministry of Interior officials face severe disciplinary action while only three have criminal charges, with no further cases. Moreover, no agency has requested financial trail investigations, raising suspicions about the reasons for this omission.
Mocking Anutin, saying the public lacks confidence and predicts the outcome.
Pakamon called on Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to request the Prime Minister, who shares his name, to instruct the Anti-Money Laundering Office to investigate financial trails, noting this should face no obstacles. She pointed out that despite the Interior Minister and Prime Minister being the same person, obstacles seem greater than expected. She believes the public already anticipates the outcome of this case and urges citizens to list government achievements under Anutin’s leadership after three months, suggesting none have succeeded. The worst outcome is public belief that the key perpetrators will never be found, reflecting a lack of trust in the government and entrenched systems where money ensures impunity.
Wirayut envisions a modern state as key to combating patronage politics.
Wirayut addressed corruption reform, noting that patronage networks are no longer traditional but span provinces. Strong political networks maintain influence over voters from birth to death. The 'blue regime' excels in using ministries to extend control through community networks tied to the state, with regular payments and vetted leadership. To counter this, the key challenge is creating a modern state where people relate directly and transparently to the government, bypassing intermediaries or vote brokers. Such a system is more sustainable, upholds human dignity, and ensures resources reach beneficiaries rather than being siphoned off. The question remains how to establish the most direct relationship between citizens and the state.
