Bangkok: The division of responsibilities within the Ministry of Agriculture has been finalized with the signing of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Order No. 3/2569. Suriya Jungrungruangkit, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has delineated the roles of two deputy ministers, Piyarat Tiyapairat and Watcharaphol Khaokham, to enhance administration efficiency.
According to Thai News Agency, Piyarat Tiyapairat will be responsible for overseeing several key areas, including cooperatives, the Agricultural Standards and Certification Office (ASCO), and highland areas. Her portfolio also includes the Department of Agricultural Extension, the Department of Cooperative Promotion, the Department of Cooperative Auditing, the National Agricultural and Food Standards Office (NAFS), the Fish Marketing Organization, and the Highland Research and Development Institute (Public Organization).
On the other hand, Watcharaphol Khaokham will manage fisheries, the Land Reform Office (LRO), the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DFPO), and the fish market. His oversight extends to the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Sericulture, the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO), the Agricultural Marketing Organization (AMO), the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO), and the Agricultural Research Development Agency (Public Organization).
Core agencies such as irrigation, livestock, land development, and the Department of Rice will remain under the direct supervision of the ministers. This delegation of authority does not include personnel management, budget approval, or policy matters, which are reserved for the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and require Cabinet submission.
The Deputy Ministers have the authority to chair committees and appoint working groups as necessary. However, documents signed by the deputies in their official capacity must be submitted to the Minister for approval at the earliest opportunity. The main agencies directly overseen by Mr. Suriya include the Royal Irrigation Department, the Department of Livestock Development, the Department of Land Development, the Department of Rice, the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), and the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT).