Safety
Warong Dechgitvigrom Opposes National Disaster Insurance Scheme
Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom has publicly challenged the government's proposed national disaster insurance project, citing concerns over budget allocation and transparency.
On September 3, 2026, Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom held a press conference to voice his opposition to the government's national disaster insurance scheme. According to Thai Post, Dr. Warong questioned the financial logic behind the project, which involves an annual premium payment of 15 billion baht. He highlighted that the average annual disaster-related damage in Thailand is approximately 5.3 billion baht, suggesting that the proposed insurance costs significantly exceed historical loss figures.
Dr. Warong expressed skepticism regarding the origin of the 40 billion baht figure used to justify the project and raised concerns about potential commissions involved in the deal. He emphasized that regardless of the severity of future disasters, the government remains ultimately responsible for public welfare. Instead of this insurance scheme, he proposed that the state should establish a dedicated fund to accumulate resources for direct public support.
For residents and travelers, this debate highlights ongoing discussions regarding how the Thai government manages disaster risk and public funds. While the project is currently under scrutiny, it remains to be confirmed whether the government will proceed with the insurance plan as proposed or if they will consider alternative funding models like the one suggested by Dr. Warong. No official government response to these specific allegations has been confirmed at this time.