Pongsakorn points out that during crises when public trust in the government falters and people turn to foundations for help, the Interior Ministry must strictly oversee foundation financial transactions, clearly separate fund collections, and prevent fund transfers.
On 8 Nov 2026 GMT+7, Pongsakorn Khwanmuang, spokesperson for the Democrat Party, held a press conference addressing transparency issues and the operations of various foundations in Thailand. He stated that during national crises or disasters, many citizens rely on foundations and charitable organizations due to ongoing government transparency problems. Donations through foundations thus become a last resort, with people hoping funds will genuinely reach those affected.
However, many foundations lack effective oversight systems, raising concerns about donations being used for personal benefit. A deeper look at governance reveals three major problems:
1. Difficult and non-transparent access to foundation accounts: Unlike private companies, which—even if not publicly listed—are legally required to submit financial statements and board member lists annually to the Department of Business Development (DBD) and allow public online access, foundations receiving public donations are not legally obliged to disclose such information publicly. Although foundations submit reports to the registrar every March, public access requires following the Official Information Act procedures, visiting the registrar in person, paying fees, and often receiving incomplete information, resulting in doubts about financial transparency.
2. Conflicts of interest and nepotism: Currently, there is evidence of donation funds being transferred from foundations to close persons, board members, or relatives of the foundation owners. This represents unresolved conflicts of interest with no strict legal mechanisms for oversight. The Democrat Party urges the Interior Ministry and related agencies to implement stringent monitoring of foundation financial transactions, especially those involving transfers to individuals close to owners or board members.
3. Misuse of donated funds: Donors often contribute in response to crises such as floods or to support border troops, but many foundations do not clearly separate fund collections by purpose. This results in commingling of funds, making it impossible to track receipts and expenditures accurately.
The Democrat Party recommends that foundations open separate sub-accounts for each project’s purpose to facilitate public scrutiny. If there are leftover funds, foundations should seek approval from the board or notify changes in the purpose afterward.
“The Democrat Party aims to promote transparency in civil society so foundations can truly be a reliable support for the public. Today, the compassion of Thai people is being exploited by some for personal gain, so it is necessary to jointly push for oversight mechanisms to protect public trust,” Pongsakorn said.