Tobacco Control Coalition Rebuts Government Spokesperson Over Meeting Funding Allegations
The National Federation for a Smoke-Free Thai Society has denied allegations that public funds were misused for a luxury meeting in Surat Thani.
On October 26, 2026, the National Federation for a Smoke-Free Thai Society issued a formal statement refuting claims made by government spokesperson Dr. Ekkapob Pianpises. The dispute centers on a meeting held in Surat Thani regarding provincial tobacco control strategies, which the spokesperson had publicly criticized on social media.
Dr. Ekkapob had alleged that the event, which featured high-end hotel accommodations, was funded by taxpayer money through the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). He shared images of hotel rooms priced at approximately 15,000 baht per night, suggesting an inappropriate use of public resources.
In response, the Federation clarified that the meeting was a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Public Health to develop local tobacco control strategies. They explicitly stated that no ThaiHealth budget was utilized for the event, noting that the venue was provided by a private sector partner supporting their mission. The Federation has demanded that the spokesperson verify his facts, retract the post, and issue an apology for the public misunderstanding caused by his allegations. Meanwhile, ThaiHealth has confirmed that its expenditure regulations strictly adhere to Comptroller General's Department guidelines. For residents and observers, this incident highlights ongoing scrutiny regarding the transparency of public-private collaborations in policy advocacy. It remains to be confirmed whether the spokesperson will issue a formal retraction or provide further evidence to support his claims.
