MP Questions ISOC Budget Transparency Amid Concerns Over 'Ghost Personnel'

On September 7, 2026, during the parliamentary debate on the 2027 fiscal budget, People's Party list MP Romadon Panjor raised significant concerns regarding the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC). Addressing the 3.78 trillion baht budget bill, the MP questioned a 31% decrease in the personnel budget, asking whether this discrepancy points to the existence of 'ghost personnel'—individuals on the payroll who do not actually exist or perform duties.

Mr. Romadon further criticized the current approach to the unrest in Thailand's Deep South, noting that violence levels in 2025 exceeded those recorded at the start of the national strategic plan. He also highlighted concerns regarding redundant compensation budgets distributed across 46 different agencies. Citing a recent NIDA Poll, he noted that 35.7% of residents in the three southern border provinces believe the ongoing unrest is linked to the management of local budgets.

For residents and visitors, this debate highlights ongoing scrutiny into the governance and security spending in the southern provinces. While the MP has called for accountability and transparency, it remains to be confirmed how the government will address these specific allegations of financial mismanagement and whether an official investigation into the personnel figures will be launched. The situation underscores the complex political and security landscape in the region.