The Acting Director-General of the Department of Local Administration (DLA) is moving forward to restore the organization's image, declaring a total ban on soliciting benefits and threatening strict action against those who cause damage to the agency.
On 22 July 2026, Mr. Nirat Pongsitthaworn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Acting Director-General of the Department of Local Administration (DLA), chaired a meeting to set policies for executives and staff aimed at driving the organization forward and restoring public confidence. He stated that his mission is to lead the organization through difficult times, not to create suspicion or change personnel, and he urged all civil servants to perform their duties wholeheartedly to regain public trust.
The Acting Director-General of the DLA announced a serious anti-corruption policy, strictly forbidding the use of positions or executives' names to solicit benefits under any circumstances. He emphasized that the administrative management selection exam on 26 July 2026 must be transparent, honest, and verifiable. Any position trading, lobbying, or list manipulation interfering with the examination process is absolutely prohibited. Misconduct can be investigated and exposed at any time, so integrity must be strictly upheld.
Furthermore, he ordered a thorough review of anti-corruption measures in the examination process, coordinating with Thammasat University, which manages the exam, to close all potential loopholes. Regarding internal management, he assigned key responsibilities for budget matters, urging prompt disbursement according to targets. Remaining budgets must be allocated fairly based on established criteria and local needs, without personal discretion influenced by personal relationships.
In personnel management, respect for one another is essential, following due process for those under investigation without premature judgment, and fostering an organizational culture of good governance. The legal department was tasked to take firm legal action against anyone impersonating executives to solicit benefits or spreading false information that damages the department.
“The success of restoring the organization depends on the cooperation of all personnel. I ask everyone to be vigilant and not allow anyone to use the department as a channel for personal gain. Those who violate or engage in corruption will face strict consequences to make the DLA a transparent organization trusted by the public once again,” Mr. Nirat concluded.