The opposition leader criticized the government for shifting the burden to local authorities to dismiss civil servants involved in exam fraud, pointing out a lack of courage and hinting at holding back key information for a knockout during the no-confidence debate.
On 18 Aug 2026 GMT+7, at the Prachinburi Provincial Administrative Organization auditorium, Mr. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the Prachachon Party and opposition leader in the House of Representatives, led a delegation to inspect unauthorized factory operations and legal violations in the area, while gathering information from relevant agencies about businesses under complaint and law enforcement.
Mr. Natthapong commented on the government's referral of 5,925 corrupt civil servants for dismissal to local authorities, noting some locales' concern over authority limits. He said this shift of responsibility to local levels clearly shows the government's political cowardice. Despite daily assertions of seriousness, when it comes to accountability, the government passes the task to others, even though the Prime Minister and Ministry of Interior possess full authority.
Regarding the government's stance on investigating corruption in the Senate elections involving politicians from the Bhumjaithai Party, Mr. Natthapong said the government is trying to block and avoid the investigation by claiming the Senate matter is non-political and should not be part of the no-confidence debate. He viewed the Prime Minister's remark that the opposition's move is motivated by a desire to govern as a diversion to avoid addressing evidence-based questions.
"I do not deny that the Prachachon Party aims to become the government to improve Thai politics. Any party contesting elections wants to govern. However, the Prime Minister should not use rhetoric like this to deflect scrutiny in parliament," Mr. Natthapong said.
Mr. Natthapong added that if all 229 cases of Senate collusion are dismissed, the Prachachon Party has prepared more than one legal avenue to appeal and will immediately pursue legal action if it finds the Election Commission has acted improperly.
When asked about pressure for Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to resign, Mr. Natthapong said the Prime Minister has options to dissolve parliament or resign, but the most important thing is to be ready for scrutiny. He believes fractures in the government arise from the "Blue Regime" structure tied together by vested interests; when some lose out, evidence leaks emerge, showing a system consuming itself.
The opposition leader concluded that he still holds several key pieces of information reserved for the no-confidence debate to demonstrate that the government uses power to preserve itself and undermine opponents rather than protect the people's interests.