The Democrat Party deputy spokesperson criticizes the government for appointing civil servants based on patronage to build a political base and urges Anutin to uphold moral principles, questioning the National Office of Buddhism over the transfers of officials to the southern provinces.
At 10:00 a.m. on 21 Aug 2026 at the Democrat Party headquarters, Mr. Nattakarn Chuchana, deputy spokesperson of the Democrat Party, addressed the government's civil servant appointments and transfers under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. He called on the government to adhere to the policy previously declared to Parliament to uphold good governance and moral principles in civil servant appointments and transfers. Citing an IFD poll conducted earlier that week with over 1,300 respondents, he noted that more than 60% believe that appointments under Anutin's government lack morality, involving politics, patronage, powerful networks, and money. Even appointments of senior officials like permanent secretaries with 8–10 years left in service are viewed by society as political groundwork, affecting the morale of other civil servants who lose career advancement opportunities.
Mr. Nattakarn further stated that during a visit with Mr. Chuan Leekpai, a party-list MP and former prime minister, at Suan Dusit Rajabhat University to lecture administrative-level civil servants under the Ministry of Education, he asked about this issue. Nearly the entire room clearly disagreed. He thus warned the government that personnel management in the public sector, under both the Constitution and the Civil Service Act, clearly requires adherence to morality, capability, performance, and conduct, without political considerations. Therefore, civil servants already appointed bear the responsibility to prove they are not political party representatives or acting to serve any political group’s interests.
Mr. Nattakarn added that if the government appoints unqualified individuals for political gain, the negative consequences will fall upon the government itself. Such behavior is as reprehensible as vote-buying in the Senate. Furthermore, he recalled that in January, Anutin expressed embarrassment over rising corruption figures during a Ministry of Interior meeting. In reality, he should neither be ashamed nor blame others, as he appointed those individuals himself. The failure to select capable and virtuous personnel has allowed corruption to spread widely from the national to local levels.
Mr. Nattakarn also questioned the National Office of Buddhism regarding the transfer of civil servants and academics from Kalasin Province to Yala Province following an inspection visit by the agency’s leadership. He requested clarification on whether this was a disciplinary action or involved corruption related to temple fund embezzlement. Given that the three southern border provinces are religiously sensitive areas, transfers used as punishment contradict public administration principles that require placing suitable personnel in appropriate positions. He urged the National Office of Buddhism to explain this matter transparently.