Hat yai: The Department of Provincial Administration has ordered the transfer and temporary suspension of Hat Yai District Chief, Mr. Ek Yang-aphai Na Songkhla, following an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) that found him guilty of misconduct.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Narucha Khosasivilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, signed an order to transfer Mr. Ek to the Department of Provincial Administration's College of Local Administration, effective November 26th. The transfer document cited extensive flood damage in the area, highlighting that Mr. Ek's last known visit was on November 22nd. Since then, he has reportedly been unreachable by his superiors and has missed daily meetings with the 42nd Infantry Regiment Disaster Relief Center. Consequently, Mr. Damrongsak Kaewduang, Inspector-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, has been appointed as acting Hat Yai District Chief.
The investigation also revealed that Mr. Ek was indicted by the NACC for allegedly using a government vehicle for personal use, specifically to transport materials to construct his own house in Mueang Songkhla District. As a result, he has been ordered to temporarily leave government service.
In response to these developments, Mr. Ek Yang-aphai Na Songkhla took to Facebook at 11:47 PM on November 27, 2015, to defend himself. He asserted, "There's only one truth. I'm in the area every day. The problem is the floodwaters are over 3 meters deep. There's no electricity, no signal, no internet. I can't make calls, I can't make calls. But I've never abandoned the people and I'm helping as much as I can."
Shortly after, at 11:59 PM, Mr. Ek posted a photo on Facebook with a message detailing relief efforts on November 23, 2025. The post described how he, along with monks from Wat Hat Yai Nai and Wat Santi Worakun, set up a kitchen in front of the Hat Yai District Chief's residence to prepare meals for flood victims despite challenging conditions, such as a lack of electricity and food. The accompanying photo showed Mr. Ek distributing supplies to those affected by the floods.