On May 23, Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya Tawichai, spokesperson for the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), expressed confusion over the explanation given by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Phumtham Wechayachai regarding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's use of public funds for foreign travel. Phumtham had stated that the Prime Minister is extremely wealthy and would not use state funds for personal trips.
However, Piya raised public concerns, questioning why public funds were being used if the trips were for personal reasons. If the trips were indeed official, he urged the government to publicly share details such as the itinerary, travel companions, budget spent, and the purpose of the visit, to assess whether it benefited the nation.
He emphasized that if the Prime Minister wanted to travel for personal reasons—such as meeting someone privately—she should use her own money. Using public funds without transparency, especially during a period of economic hardship for many citizens, raises concerns.
"The public doesn't care how rich the PM is. What they care about is whether their tax money is being used properly while they themselves are jobless and struggling," he said.