The government spokesperson countered former Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary "Kel" who dared to lecture the Prime Minister over his criticism of the Ban Sang district chief during a meeting, while also releasing an old clip showing him harshly scolding officials on Zoom. He said Deputy Prime Minister Anutin did not use offensive language but spoke politely out of concern for the people affected.
At 11:05 a.m. on 8 Oct 2026 at the Government House, Ekapop Pienpiset, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, addressed former Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Sutthipong Chulcharoen's criticism of transferring Mr. Setthawut Wongloewut, Ban Sang district chief, from his post to assist at the College of Local Administration, Department of Provincial Administration, on a temporary basis. He said that during the meeting of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center (DPMC) on 7 Oct, the transfer was ordered amid questions about its appropriateness and reasons. He believes the best person to answer is the Prachinburi governor, who proposed the move due to prior issues with orders. As spokesperson for the joint flood information center gathering daily data, he acknowledged Ban Sang district is in a critical state because floodwaters from Nakhon Nayok and Prachinburi provinces converge there before flowing into the Bang Pakong River, so passivity or slow work cannot be accepted; full integration of all sectors is required.
Ekapop said he understands that what the public or media see may not show the full picture. Therefore, coordinating work to ensure public safety and provide relief and rehabilitation requires cooperation not only from the district chief but from all involved parties. Many ministers have visited the area, and various sectors have provided assistance. While there has been criticism of the transfer order, he accepts that. However, criticism from someone who once held the position of Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary and worked alongside the Interior Minister seems like a reproach directed at Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's remarks in the meeting, which is unacceptable.
"But I will say that the Prime Minister did not criticize any individual or ask about their educational background. The Prime Minister regrets that such incidents occurred or that some officials behaved in ways supported by facts and information that indicate some action was necessary," Ekapop stated.
Ekapop then took out his mobile phone and played an old video clip of Sutthipong during his tenure as Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary harshly reprimanding officials, questioning their educational background, and using strong language during a Zoom meeting with officials from several provinces on 27 Dec 2022. He played this for the media, saying the Prime Minister did not insult anyone, and the DPMC meeting was not live-streamed. The Prime Minister's words were not rude or insulting but stemmed from concern that the public might not receive proper care. Those who criticize or feel unfair can file complaints or voice criticism, but those who have previously insulted officials with derogatory language have no right to lecture the Prime Minister, which Ekapop finds equally unacceptable.
When asked about speculation that the transfer of the Ban Sang district chief was unrelated to flooding but linked to opposition against a waste recycling plant in Ban Sang district, Ekapop said he thinks such stories are fabricated. He reiterated that Ban Sang is a flood-receiving district with a severe situation requiring cooperation from all sectors. The district chief plays a key role in coordinating these efforts. For details about the issues, he suggested asking the Prachinburi governor, as no order would be issued without solid reasons and thorough investigation. Therefore, linking unrelated issues is inappropriate now. The affected people deserve the best assistance and relief.