Songkla: Worasit instructed the Bangkok Governor and district directors to strictly control areas at risk of fires after recurring incidents in multiple locations. Mr. Worasit Liengprasit, Deputy Minister of Interior, gave an interview regarding the fire in the Makkasan community last night (August 31st), which resulted in damage to several houses and one fatality. He stated that he had received a report of a fire in the Makkasan area, damaging 15 houses and resulting in one death. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has initially inspected the area, established a shelter, and is investigating the cause of the fire.
According to Thai News Agency, regarding fire prevention strategies following repeated incidents in several locations, Mr. Worasit stated that prevention must address the root causes. In community areas, equipment may have deteriorated over time. Therefore, he instructed district offices and the Bangkok Governor to inspect these high-risk areas, emphasizing that prevention is better than cure.
Mr. Worasit further expressed the importance of proactive measures to prevent further tragedies. The initiative involves a comprehensive inspection of fire-prone zones, ensuring that equipment in these areas is up to standard to mitigate potential risks. The directive aims to safeguard communities and reinforce safety measures across the city.
In a related matter, Mr. Worasit also addressed the issue of subcontractor hiring practices in local administrative organizations. He emphasized the need for strict control over the hiring of subcontractors to prevent those who have slipped through the blacklist of individuals accused of corruption in local government exams.
He acknowledged that while prohibiting the hiring of subcontractors entirely is not feasible due to the independence of local administrative organizations, measures can be implemented to ensure transparency and accountability. The Deputy Minister revealed that the removal of 3,868 individuals with corruption records from local government recruitment lists has been completed. He also highlighted concerns regarding the use of local government funds for hiring individuals under contract, stressing the ethical implications of employing known corrupt individuals.
Mr. Worasit indicated that cooperation with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) would be sought to investigate these practices further. He reiterated the importance of maintaining ethical standards in government hiring processes and ensuring that only legitimate candidates are appointed to civil service positions.
The Deputy Minister also addressed the transitional challenges faced by local administrative organizations due to the revocation of names from civil service lists. While acknowledging the impact of removing a significant number of individuals from their positions, he stressed the necessity of appointing new personnel to maintain the integrity of local government operations.
Furthermore, Mr. Worasit mentioned that the Committee on Decentralization, Local Administration, and Special Administrative Arrangements of the House of Representatives is exploring ways to assist those who genuinely passed the exam and are seeking new placement areas. The aim is to ensure fairness while respecting the rights of all involved parties.