In an unexpected twist that has left many across Thailand in disbelief, an immense 51 billion baht drought relief fund has been placed on ice amidst explosive allegations of political interference and potential budgetary shenanigans. This move has stirred up quite the controversy, with fears mounting over the impact this will have on already struggling communities in desperate need of aid. Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, who also holds the role of digital economy and society minister, confirmed this week that the Budget Bureau has issued a formal notice to pause the disbursement of funds. These funds, slated under the 2025 fiscal mid-year budget for water management and drought relief projects, are now caught in the crossfire of bureaucratic chaos and are under intense scrutiny. “This isn’t a confiscation,” declared Prasert, trying perhaps unsuccessfully to quell the storm. “It’s merely a notice suggesting a ‘wait and see’ approach.” So, why…
