Pholpeer declared today as the deadline for the Boom Panadda Foundation to submit documents; if not, police case files will be used to request immediate revocation. He confirmed ongoing investigations of over ten thousand foundations and plans to amend laws to increase the Ministry of Interior's authority to trace financial flows and revoke foundations independently.
At 12:25 p.m. on 10 Nov 2026 at the Government House, Mr. Pholpeer Suwanchavee, Deputy Minister of Interior, spoke about Mr. Sitthira Biabangkerd, Secretary-General of the Lawyers’ Team Foundation for Youth and Society, who requested the Ministry of Interior to investigate 11 foundations and 1 association. Pholpeer said the ministry is already reviewing all foundations without requiring submissions, as it is their responsibility. There are about 14,300 foundations and many associations nationwide. Many foundations submit annual reports, meeting minutes, budgets, and performance results, but some do not. He noted cases where some artists accepted donations but transferred money to personal accounts and formed associations only months ago; these cannot be investigated until March 2027.
According to the Ministry of Interior’s regulations, all foundations and associations must submit reports by March each year. Since it is not yet March, the ministry is conducting retrospective checks. Regarding fundraising or receiving donations after incidents, each event requires specific permission. Thailand experienced three events with three fundraising requests; some foundations complied, others did not. After completing the retrospective review, if any foundation violates regulations, official letters and further actions will follow.
Mr. Pholpeer also addressed the inspection of the Boom Panadda Foundation, stating that today (10 Nov) is the final day for them to submit reports to the Ministry of Interior. If they fail to do so, the ministry will coordinate with the Royal Thai Police to obtain case files and reports regarding whether the foundation’s activities violate its objectives. The ministry will use these case files without further investigation to petition the court to revoke the foundation’s license.
Asked whether the Boom Panadda Foundation’s license will be revoked immediately, Pholpeer said the ministry’s evidence is nearly complete if the foundation does not submit documents today. Regarding whether other foundations are at risk, he explained that current laws prevent the ministry from tracing donation sources or how foundations use their funds unless authorized to audit financial flows. He has consulted the Prime Minister about amending laws to allow the Ministry of Interior, which grants foundation charters, to audit operations. He has informed Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt accordingly.
He instructed the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior to draft new legal provisions and ministry regulations, with plans to present them to Pakorn on 17 Nov. Pakorn has already studied relevant laws. They will merge the ministry’s draft with Pakorn’s to determine feasibility and speed. Since any bill must pass Parliament, and the process could take one to one and a half years, there is uncertainty about completion time. Meanwhile, new foundations may seek registration, raising questions about which laws or ministerial regulations will govern. Further discussions will occur after Pakorn returns from abroad.
When asked if the new law would allow the Ministry of Interior direct access to financial audits, Pholpeer confirmed that the ministry intends to request such authority. They want to know donation sources, even if donors prefer confidentiality, to prevent money laundering or improper funds. For instance, some foundations receive foreign donations but use the money for business activities or land purchases under private names, violating foundation objectives. The ministry aims to complete thorough and timely inspections despite the large volume. Previously, registrations were analog, but now the ministry uses IT systems implemented late 2025. He reviewed the system and noted further development is needed, including granting staff access to financial flows and expenditures.
Pholpeer added that the ministry cannot currently audit cash donations made directly at incident sites or foundation offices without issuing receipts. Complaints have arisen about prominent foundations accepting donations without providing receipts despite two months of follow-up. The ministry will investigate whether systems exist to monitor cash flows because public trust is undermined when donations do not enter formal channels, violating the purpose of aiding others.
When asked about revising regulations granting foundation chairpersons discretion over spending, Pholpeer said civil and commercial law governs foundation formation, similar to company registration. Spending decisions fall under the board’s discretion. The ministry is assessing whether to intervene in foundation operations, though such interference risks government overreach. They are concerned about funds being misused or diverted from intended purposes and seek to address this alongside amending the outdated 1944 fundraising control law, which imposes only minimal fines (200 baht per case). This penalty is ineffective when donations reach tens or hundreds of millions, and donors do not report fundraising to authorities, accepting the small fine.
Asked about foundations with political influence, such as the Watchmen Foundation, Pholpeer said he works under a principle of anonymity, focusing on behavior. He confirmed all 14,000+ foundations are under review, and if additional documents are needed, the Department of Provincial Administration will request them. Failure to clarify will lead to legal measures. License revocation requires court approval; the Ministry of Interior currently lacks authority to revoke independently. This is under discussion with Pakorn, as the ministry grants charters but cannot revoke them directly. The ministry is studying whether it can act as both grantor and revoker since judicial processes and timeframes are unpredictable.