Safety
Nirat Pongsitthithavorn Appointed as New Director-General of DDPM
Nirat Pongsitthithavorn, currently serving as acting head of the Department of Local Administration, has been appointed as the new Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
On August 25, 2026, Khaosod Online reported that Nirat Pongsitthithavorn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and acting Director-General of the Department of Local Administration (DLA), has been appointed as the new Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).
Speaking at Government House, Nirat stated that the appointment was unexpected but that he respects the decision made by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul. Regarding his transition, Nirat acknowledged the significant challenges ahead, noting that the DLA still requires substantial internal reform. He emphasized that his immediate priority at the DLA remains the proper management of administrative accounts and ensuring they are correctly processed before he assumes his new role.
For residents and travelers, this leadership change is significant as the DDPM is the primary agency responsible for disaster management and emergency response across Thailand. While Nirat expressed readiness to take on the demanding role, questions remain regarding how this transition will affect ongoing investigations into corruption among local government officials, which were previously under his purview at the DLA. Nirat stated he has not yet discussed the continuity of these specific investigations with the Prime Minister. Further updates are expected as the administrative handover proceeds.