Pond Jakkrich is at the center of a heated controversy over the boundary between personal and donation funds. A "lawyer" weighs in on what types of expenditures may constitute wrongdoing, and frequent withdrawals by his wife from the association's funds require clear explanation.
In the case of Pond Jakkrich, a rescue volunteer who offers free body transport services, his wife has withdrawn 30,000 baht multiple times from the association's donations, sparking widespread social media criticism about how the withdrawn money was used.
Today (17 Jul 2026), Pond Jakkrich, the rescue volunteer providing free body transport, appeared on the 'Hon Krasae' program to address allegations of using donation money personally. He explained that most withdrawals were used to pay for fuel for transport vehicles, maintenance, and purchasing used vehicles for the association's body transport. He admitted that while still paying off the vehicles, the ownership remained in the previous owner's name, but once fully purchased, the vehicles would be transferred to the association's name. He emphasized that all transactions were accounted for, and almost all vehicles are now registered under the association, except those still being paid off.
Ms. Naina, a land co-owner with whom Pond entered a hire-purchase agreement, raised concerns about using a personal name for the land purchase transaction. She questioned why Pond's name does not appear among the association's members. Pond responded that in the past he avoided military conscription, which prevented him from using his name in certain transactions. He affirmed he has served his penalty and did not intend to conceal information or seek personal gain.
Ms. Naina further questioned why, if Pond wished to avoid revealing his name, donations were accepted through a personal account. Pond challenged for evidence and acknowledged posts from 2020-2021 showing donations received in his personal account, which was indeed a backup account. He explained that urgent purchases required quick access, so he used his personal account temporarily but has since closed it and completed an audit. He confirmed he can provide detailed financial explanations.
Thairath Online's special news team consulted lawyer Kerdphon Kaewkerd on the distinction between "donation money" and "personal money." He explained that donation money is not income from employment or personal gifts. Even if donations enter a personal account, the funds still belong to the association. If used for association activities, it is association business. Land purchased with association funds should be bought under the association's name, with board resolutions, meeting minutes, contracts, and payments all under the association's name. Failure to follow these procedures is misuse. Those authorizing improper use must be held accountable. Even if funds were genuinely used for body transport or disaster relief, improper procedures are not correct; transactions should go directly through the association's accounts.
When asked if Pond's wife receiving association money to disburse to staff for work purposes violates the association's objectives, lawyer Kerdphon said it does not, provided the spending truly serves the public interest, but detailed documentation must be available.
Most associations or foundations operate like family businesses. Association presidents often believe they have full management authority, as there is no external oversight, unlike companies subject to cost accounting. The main cost of foundations or associations is labor. Oversight responsibility falls to the Ministry of Interior.
For the public, lawyer Kerdphon recommends donating directly to foundations or associations. How the funds are managed is the responsibility of those organizations. Using personal accounts risks misuse contrary to donors' intentions. He cautions well-meaning donors not to let altruism be compromised by greed for money.
