“Paradorn” Confirms DDPM to Propose 10.5 Billion Baht Flood Relief Budget to Cabinet Today

Today (20 October 2026) at 9:05 AM at Government House, Mr. Paradorn Prissananantakul, the minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office who oversees the Bureau of the Budget spoke before the Cabinet meeting. He stated that yesterday (October 19, 2026), the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) requested 10.5 billion baht from the 2027 mid-year central budget to provide further relief to flood-affected citizens. This allocation is expected to cover all remaining affected areas. He confirmed that the proposal would definitely be presented to the Cabinet today, expressing confidence that the disbursement process would not be interrupted, as payments from the previous budget allocation were still being processed as of yesterday.

Mr. Paradorn added that if the Cabinet grants approval today, the distribution of funds could resume immediately tomorrow. He reiterated that the current delays are not a matter of funding availability but rather the verification process. For instance, while the distribution of relief funds in provincial areas has proceeded without significant issues, the process in Bangkok has encountered some bottlenecks. Yesterday, discussions were held with Mr. Worasit Liangprasit, Deputy Minister of Interior who oversees Bangkok to coordinate with the district offices on how to expedite the verification process. While speed is important, the process must also be accurate and precise to prevent a surge of subsequent complaints.

Mr. Paradorn stated that regarding the 9,000-baht household relief payments some of which are now being clawed back the established criteria must be strictly followed. Relief is provided exclusively to those who meet specific conditions: households that experienced flooding and sustained damage are eligible for 9,000 baht, while those cut off by floodwaters for seven days are eligible for 5,000 baht. Individuals who do not meet these criteria may still register to verify their eligibility, but the final verification process rests with local authorities in Bangkok, this falls under the jurisdiction of the district offices.

When asked about the possibility of funds being reclaimed, Mr. Paradorn stated that this would be a matter for the district offices to address. Since these are state funds, they are intended solely for those who meet the hardship criteria; those who do not qualify have no right to the money. If funds were received whether due to a lack of awareness or other reasons when the recipient was not actually entitled to them, it is up to the district office to pursue recovery. Legal action could also be taken if complaints arise, and those who verified the eligibility of individuals who did not qualify would be held accountable. When asked further about how those responsible would be held accountable in cases where individuals wrongfully claim relief payments, Mr. Paradorn stated that the central government cannot delve into the specific details of how local authorities conduct their verification processes.

However, as a matter of principle, if a complaint is filed and an investigation reveals that someone has fraudulently verified the eligibility of an individual who did not actually qualify, that person will certainly face legal action. This is the fundamental rule. In terms of specific operational details, however, he in his capacity overseeing the Bureau of the Budget cannot intervene; when an agency requests funding, his role is simply to submit the request to the Cabinet in accordance with established procedures, while the specific details are provided by the local authorities. He reiterated that the individuals who must bear responsibility are those who verified the eligibility of the ineligible recipients.