'Natcha,' an MP from the Prachachon Party, debated the 2027 budget for the Department of Groundwater Resources, revealing that more than half of the groundwater wells were dug in areas aligned with the Bhumjaithai Party, insisting this cannot be allowed to continue.
At 18:00 on 8 Sep 2026 GMT+7, the House of Representatives convened to consider the draft Appropriation Act for fiscal year 2027, entering the second reading, specifically clause 17 concerning the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, with a budget of 14,375 million baht. Mr. Natcha Boonchai-insawat Member of Parliament (MP) on the party-list for the Prachachon Party, debated that The Department of Groundwater Resources requested a budget of 1,501 million baht for fiscal year 2027 to drill 281 groundwater well projects. Of these, 141 projects, or 57.3%, are in areas controlled by the Bhumjaithai Party, totaling 861 million baht.
Next were areas under the Pheu Thai Party with 57 projects worth 270 million baht; Kla Party with 52 projects valued at 198 million baht; Palang Pracharath Party with 8 projects totaling 53 million baht; Sai Ruam Phalang Party with 9 projects at 48 million baht; Democrat Party with 6 projects worth 21 million baht; and Prachachon Party with 8 projects totaling 47 million baht.
Mr. Natcha added that this issue cannot be overlooked. The spending patterns of the Department of Groundwater Resources have remained unchanged since the mid-2026 budget, favoring projects in Bhumjaithai Party areas. Within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, there are widespread rumors that if the director-general does not comply, they face reassignment or removal. These suspicions are troubling, and thus, he cannot approve the budget.
