Pheu Thai Unfazed by Ethics Complaint Against Suriya Over Royal Irrigation Department Director Transfer
Pheu Thai Party spokespersons defended Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit after a lawyer filed an ethics complaint with the Election Commission regarding the transfer of a Royal Irrigation Department director. The party maintains that all procedures were followed correctly and denied allegations involving relatives in budget matters, expressing confidence the issue will not impact ministry operations.
On May 2, 2025, Suksisat SriChomkwan, Deputy Prime Minister's Political Secretary and Pheu Thai Party spokesperson, addressed lawyer Ruangkrai Leekijwattana's petition to the Election Commission (EC) requesting investigation and referral to the Constitutional Court. The petition questions whether Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit's transfer of Royal Irrigation Department and Agricultural Aviation Director Rachan Silparayas to the position of ministry inspector general constitutes a serious breach of ethical standards warranting the minister's removal. Suksisat urged the public to follow the facts carefully. He explained that since Pheu Thai joined the government, urgent work on the 2025 budget has been necessary to align with government policy and campaign promises, making consultations with state agencies routine. He firmly denied allegations that relatives were called to review budgets and stated that the EC petition should pose no problems. "The Agriculture and Cooperative Ministry has conducted all operations according to established procedures properly, and I am confident this matter will not negatively impact the ministry's work," Suksisat said.